All Airlines Operating in India.
Soaring high in the sky, the aviation industry in India has grown exponentially over the years. With a sustained momentum, it is expected to further grow manifold. With the Indian economy flourishing, income levels rising, the Indian traveler does not have to look too far, as timesaving and wallet friendly travel is now made available. As lifestyles become busier and the pay checks become heftier, the Indian traveler will not compromise on quality, convenience or time. Catering to the rising demands, many new players have entered the aviation arena, embarking on fresh ideas and innovative schemes.
There was a time, when air travel was exclusively the privilege of the wealthy, all which is now changing. The aviation industry has evolved over the years, and air travel privileges are now made available to the common Indian traveler, with affordable fare structures, an array of airlines to choose from, widely covered sectors as well as exquisite services. This has been made possible by the arrival of new airlines in the aviation industry, which started the trend of budget airlines in India, a concept adopted from the west, although it took some time for it to glide along the Indian skies. Now that it has, there is no looking back, as the aviation sector is rapidly expanding its wings spanning the nation, as the Indian tarmac becomes haven to a host of domestic airlines operating in India.
Till early nineties the airline sector was the monopoly of Government owned Indian Airlines and Air India and other private carriers were not allowed to operate in India. There was no competition at all and therefore the industry did not see much growth till the early nineties. With the entry of private players in early nineties the whole experience of airline travel and hospitality changed. With the genesis of Jet Airways and Sahara Airlines a revolution in the airline industry had started and with the entry of more private players, the air travel has reached to the common man. It was Air Deccan that revolutionized air travel in 2003, by offering fierce competition to the other airlines. It almost slashed its air fares equaling to the current train fares, so air travel is within the reach of the common man. Other airlines followed suit, thus imparting a refreshing flexibility and affordability for the Indian traveler. Captain G R Gopinath MD Air Deccan quips, “We are the Udipi hotel in airline industry”.
A spillover effect on the Indian aviation industry has been created, so as the aviators keep their engines revved up, the Indian skies provide expeditious commutation to the Indian traveler.
Below is a brief preview of the domestic airlines operating in India:
INDIAN
Formerly named Indian Airlines, this airline has firmly established itself as a premier domestic flyer, and has been in existence since 1953. It is completely owned by the Government of India and is among India’s second largest airline. In totality, it covers 76 destinations, i.e. 58 in India and 18 abroad. According to reports as of January 2005, it employs an average of 19,600 employees. It serves its customers with a number of call centers in all the major cities. Its toll free number (1800 180 1407) is easily accessible from any part of the country, providing customers and travel agents with flight information, arrival and departure details, reservations, promotional schemes, tele check-in, and telephonic booking.
Online booking is also made available, and passengers can book their tickets just 2 hours prior to the flight departure. Take a print of an e-ticket while booking, and a maximum of 5 seats comprising of 3 adults, 2 children and one infant can be booked in this fashion. Bookings can also be made using the following bank accounts: Punjab National Bank, State Bank of India, Union Bank of India, Bank of India and Kotak Mahindra Bank. For overseas passengers, new and revised USD fares are offered.
Currently, Indian owns a fleet of 70 aircrafts (3 wide bodied airbus A300s, 47 fly-by-wire airbus A320s, 3 Airbus A319s, 11 Boeing 737s, 2 Dornier Do-228 aircraft and 4 ATR-42). Another fleet of 43 new aircrafts comprising of 19 A319s, 4 A320s & 21 A321 are expected to be inducted soon. Indian offers an average of 35,000 seats per day and is planning to expand its destinations even further.
Kuwait, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Afghanistan are the international sectors that India currently covers.
It is also planning to cover Australia, Hong Kong, South Africa in the coming future as it has finalized the lease of two of its A-330-200 jets.
Indian aircrafts now dons a new look, with a blue wheel on its tail over an orange background, and “INDIAN” inscribed in English on one side and in Hindi on the other side.
Further details can be found on their website at: http://indian-airlines.nic.in/home.asp
JET AIRWAYS
Jet Airways is one of the premier private airlines in India with Mr. Naresh Goyal as its Chairman. It was established in the year 1991 and started with a fleet of 4 Boeing aircrafts covering 12 destinations. It was the first private airline of the country to cover international sectors. Based in Mumbai, today it provides impeccable services to the quality savvy consumer, and covers 44 domestic destinations and 5 overseas sectors. Over 320 of its flights operate domestically and internationally.
The overseas destinations that Jet Airways covers are Colombo, Katmandu, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and London (Heathrow), from Amritsar, Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai. It will soon be commencing its operations to Brussels, Bangkok and Newark. Its Amritsar to London Heathrow sector is now begun operating thrice a week.
It is today a public limited company with a fleet of 55 aircrafts, i.e. 3 Airbus 340-300E, 4 Boeing 737-800, 1 Airbus 330-200, 1 Boeing 737-700, 18 Boeing 737-800, 8 ATR 72-500, 2 Boeing 737-900, 12 Boeing 737-700, and 6 Boeing 737-400. It is the first Indian airline to become an operator of A330. It has received many awards for maintaining and providing impeccable standard of services. Below is the list of 49 destinations that Jet Airways covers:
Jammu & Kashmir : Leh, Jammu, Srinagar
Chandigarh : Chandigarh
Delhi : Delhi
Rajasthan : Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur
Gujarat: Porbandar, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Bhuj
Maharashtra: Mumbai, Pune, Aurangabad, Nagpur
West Bengal: Kolkata, Bagdogra
Uttar Pradesh: Lucknow, Varanasi
Daman & Diu: Diu
Bihar: Patna
Punjab: Amritsar
Madhya Pradesh: Khajuraho, Indore, Bhopal
Goa: Goa Dabolim
Karnataka: Bangalore, Mangalore
Tamil Nadu: Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai
Andhra Pradesh: Hyderabad
Kerala: Calicut, Cochin, Trivandrum
Andaman & Nicobar Islands: Port Blair
Chhatisgarh: Raipur
Assam: Guwahati, Jorhat
Manipur: Imphal
Tripura: Agartala
Sri Lanka: Colombo
Nepal: Kathmandu
Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur
Singapore: Singapore Changi
Thailand: Suvarnabhumi International Airport
UK: London Heathrow
Belgium: Brussels [starting August 2007]
USA: Newark, New Jersey [starting August 2007]
Canada: Toronto, Toronto Pearson International Airport [starting July 2007].
It is expanding vastly, and currently controls 40% market of Indian aviation.
Booking of air tickets can be done online. The airline additionally offers Jet Privilege programs which have a number of benefits attached to it. Depending on your membership tier, the Jet Privilege offers its customers many benefits like, Personalized web access, 5 membership levels, e-ticketing, booking on IVR (Interactive Voice Response) system, Tele check-in facility, web check-in, kiosk-in, lounge access at select airports, additional baggage allowance on jet airways flight, complimentary upgrade vouchers, guaranteed reservation up to 24 hours before departure, no cancellation fees and much more. All information and details can be found on their website at http://www.jetairways.com
For special meal preferences, the travel agent or reservation staff needs to be informed at the time of booking. The in-flight entertainment systems are available to both economy and business class passengers. Audio and video entertainment offered with an array of channels to choose from operating on touch screen technology. Other in-flight conveniences offered by the airline include refreshing cold towels to welcome passengers onboard, hygienically treated blankets and pillows on request, wide range of newspapers and magazines, first-aid kits, seat with bassinets on request (currently available on Mumbai/Delhi- London sector). JetWings, their in-flight magazine is packed with information and Skyscreen offers a lowdown on their in-flight audio and video entertainment programs.
Kindly note that carriage of pets is only permitted on their Boeing 737 aircrafts. In the unexpected event of weather related delays, Jet airways offers instant SMS alerts to its passengers, in order to avoid any inconvenience. So, make sure to give your mobile numbers at the time of making bookings. Therefore, in case of any weather related delays, you can SMS “Jet Flight Number” e.g. Jet 501 to 6388 for instant flight status. Below are the help-line numbers for your convenience:
Mumbai - 022-3989 3333
Delhi - 011- 3989 3333
Chennai - 044- 3989 3333
Bangalore - 080- 3989 3333
Hyderabad - 040- 3989 3333
Kolkata - 033- 3989 3333
Only one piece of hand baggage as cabin baggage per adult is permitted on board. In case you plan to carry a laptop, then hand baggage is not permitted on board. For passengers traveling the Delhi/Mumbai- London sector booked in C, J or Z classes, a complementary chauffeur pick-up or drop is available. In order to avail this service you can contact the following numbers:
India: 1800 225522
UK: 08000 265626.
Additional information, terms and conditions can again be found on their website.
Established in 1991, under the name of Sahara Airlines, it was renamed as Air Sahara on October 2, 2000. With its base in New Delhi, it is one the leading private airlines of the country connecting most of the domestic sectors as well as a few international destinations. Offering 13900 seats per day with 134 daily direct flights, Air Sahara connects to 4 overseas and 24 domestic destinations. It started its first overseas flight between Chennai to Colombo in 2004. Expanding its wings over the years, it currently owns a fleet of 27 aircrafts that include the following:
1 Boeing 767, 5 Boeing 737-800, 8 Boeing 737-700, 4 Boeing 737-400, 2 Boeing 737-300, and 7 CRJ -200.
Besides, Air Sahara provides chartered helicopter services as well as for aerial photography. Its fleet of helicopters includes 3 ECUREUILS AS-355-NM2, and 1 DAUPHIN AS-365-NM2.
Following are the destinations covered by this airline:
Domestic destinations include Ahmedabad, Allahabad, Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Coimbatore, New Delhi, Dibrugarh, Goa, Gorakhpur, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Patna, Pun, Ranchi, Srinagar, Thiruvananthapuram, Varanasi and Visakhapatnam.
International destinations include Colombo, Kathmandu, Durban, Singapore.
Its chartered helicopter services are between Delhi and Mumbai.
They also plan to introduce flights to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and Seoul and London.
Air Sahara offers the fastest baggage retrieval facility, so the baggage reaches the conveyer belt before the passenger does hence avoiding unnecessary delay. Air Sahara also offers its Lounge facilities to its esteemed Business class passengers, Cosmos Gold Card and Standard Chartered Gold Card members. The Air Sahara lounge facility is available at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Goa and Pune airports.
Their call center (ASK i.e. Air Sahara Key) will help you with all further queries regarding bookings, reservations, fares, flight timings, or any other service related question. They can be contacted at:
+91 3030 2020 (for all mobiles)
1800 22 3020 for all MTNL and BSNL lines (toll free)
Air Sahara additionally offers chartered jet or helicopter services. For information regarding this, please contact the following:
Aircraft Charter: Tel: 91-11-23352776 Fax: 91-11-23704209
Helicopter Charter: Tel: 91-22-26606447, 26607471, and 91-11- 26789876, 30976650 Fax: 011-26782027
All further details and information can accessed on their official website at http://www.airsahara.net
AIR DECCAN
Air Deccan is the first low cost carrier or budget airline in the Indian aviation history, with Captain G.R. Gopinath as its Managing Director. With its base in Bangalore, India Air Deccan was first established in the year 2003 connecting Bangalore to Mangalore and Hubli. Having trimmed down airfares to almost that of trainfare, this airline has been instrumental in revolutionizing the aviation industry by providing air travel to the common man who could not previously afford air travel. In fact, it was the first ever airline to introduce flights that connected small cities like Hubli, Madurai and Visakhapatnam to metros like Bangalore and Chennai.
As of now, it operates 300 flights to 59 destinations everyday within India. Its fleet consists of 31 aircrafts which include the following:
3 Airbus A320-200, 5 ATR 42-320, 9 ATR 42-500, and 5 ATR 72-212A.
Furthermore, the airline plans to expand by acquiring 30 Airbus320s in 2007.
For booking, re-scheduling, cancellation or refund queries, below are the numbers to be contacted:
All India Number 39 00 88 88 N E States 18004257008 J & K State 18004257008 Karnataka 9845777008 Chennai 9840377008 Delhi 9818177008 Kolkata 9831677008 Tamil Nadu 9894477008 Mumbai 9892577008 Andhra Pradesh 9849677008 Gujarat 9898377008 Maharashtra 9890477008
Air Deccan has recently introduced the “credit card masking system” at their call centers as an enhanced security measure, wherein the credit card payment is made through an IVR. For secure bookings, passengers can call the call center at 39008888 for reservations.
Further details are available on their website: http://www.airdeccan.net
IndiGo Airline
This airline is quite recent and is again among the low cost carriers of the Indian aviation industry. Its first ever flight took off on August 4, 2006 from Delhi to Imphal. Adding a refreshing affordability, this is yet again another airline to enter the aviation arena, with plans for major expansion in the coming future.
At present IndiGo airlines owns a fleet of six aircrafts, however, it has plans to expand its fleet to 12 aircrafts by the end of 2007. By the year 2010, it aims towards having a fleet of 40 airbus A-320s, which has the capacity to accommodate 180 passengers. Also by that time it proposes to serve 30 Indian cities. Furthermore, it aims at 100 A-320s by he year 2016.
As of November 2006, IndiGo airline is covering the following destinations:
Bangalore, Chennai, Guwahati, Goa, Hyderabad, Imphal, Jaipur, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, Nagpur, Pune and Vadodara.
Following are the ways to book flights and make payments for the above airline:
IndiGo does not permit any pets onboard their flights. However, blind dogs for blind passengers are allowed. Extra leg room seats are available at an additional charge of Rs100 per sector.
For further details, kindly visit their website at http://book.goindigo.in
GoAir Airlines
This Mumbai based airline is again a low-cost airline catering to the needs of the Indian traveler with affordable fare structures. Owned by the Mumbai based Wadia group; it aims at offering quality services coupled with affordability and punctuality, and has aptly themed itself as “The People’s Airline”. Mr. Jeh Wadia is the airlines Managing Director and this airline was established in June 2004. In July 2006, the airline announced an order of 10 Airbus A-320s with plans to add another 10 to their fleet.
As of November 2006, GoAir airlines consists of a fleet of 7 Airbus 320-200.
Following are the cities, this airline currently connects to:
Mumbai, Goa, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Delhi, Srinagar, Jammu, Jaipur, Chennai, Coimbatore and Kolkata.
Ready to buy directly on board from the crew, is an array of snacks and beverages offered by the airline.
For queries and details, their customer call center can be contacted at:
1800-222-111 (MTNL/BSNL)
09223-222-111 (GSM/CDMA)
Visit their website at http://www.goair.in for further queries.
SpiceJet Airlines
This Delhi-based airline is yet again a new entrant in the aviation arena providing low fare structures to the Indian traveler. Established in May 2005, this private airline is promoted by Ajay Singh and Sanjay Malhotra. It was formerly named Royal Airways, and at the time it first started its flights, their structures were as low as Rs.99 for the first 99 days. A total of 9000 seats were made available at this rate, as a part of its marketing and promotional strategy.
SpiceJet currently connects 11 destinations which include, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Jammu, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune and Srinagar.
As of August 2006, SpiceJet airline consists of a fleet of 6 Boeing 737-800 with a capacity to accommodate 189 passengers. Another 14 such aircrafts are on order. A total of 5 Boeing 737-900 are also on order.
This airline is backed by advanced technology and world class maintenance support from KLM, Star Navigation, Russel Adams and Tech Log.
In-flight refreshments include complementary peanuts/biscuits and water. SpiceJet does not offer any frequent flyer program as of now.
In order to make flight bookings, passengers can log on to their website http://www.spicejet.com , fill in all particulars and generate the itinerary.
Alternatively, bookings or queries can be made at their reservation center at 18001803333 or 9871803333.
Bookings can also be made through SpiceJet selected travel agents or SpiceJet’s walk-in airport ticket counters or sales offices.
Kingfisher Airlines
This Bangalore based private airline is owned by Mr. Vijay Mallya of United Beverages Group. It commenced its operations on May 9, 2005, starting with a fleet of 4 Airbus 320 aircrafts. Adding another feather to the cap of the Indian aviation industry, this airline yet again caters to the budget sensitive traveler, providing affordable fare structures coupled with luxury. It offers a refreshing change to the Indian traveler by incorporating unique and unequaled services like, “personal valet at the airport to assist in baggage handling and boarding, exclusive lounges with private space, accompanied with refreshments and music at the airport, audio and video on-demand, with extra-wide personalized screens in the aircraft, sleeperette seats with extendable footrests, and three-course gourmet cuisine”. [Source: iloveindia.com].
As of December 2006, Kingfisher Airlines connects the following destinations:
Agartala (Agartala Airport)
Ahmedabad (Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport)
Bangalore (HAL Bangalore International Airport)
Bhubaneswar (Biju Patnaik Airport)
Chennai (Chennai International Airport)
Coimbatore (Coimbatore Airport)
Delhi (Indira Gandhi International Airport)
Dibrugarh (Dibrugarh Airport)
Guwahati (Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport)
Goa (Dabolim Airport)
Hubli (Hubli Airport)
Hyderabad (Begumpet Airport)
Jaipur (Jaipur Airport)
Jammu (Jammu Airport)
Kochi (Cochin International Airport)
Kolkata (Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport)
Mangalore (Mangalore International Airport)
Mumbai (Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport)
Nagpur (Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport)
Pune (Pune Airport)
Puttaparthi (Sri Sathya Sai Airport)
Srinagar (Srinagar Airport)
Tiruchirapally (Tiruchirapalli Airport)
Tirupati (Tirupati Airport)
Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum International Airport)
Udaipur (Udaipur Airport)
Varanasi (Varanasi Airport)
Vijayawada (Vijayawada Airport)
Visakhapatnam (Vishakhapatnam Airport)
According to recent reports as of January 2007, the Kingfisher airline fleet consists of the following aircrafts:
3 Airbus A319-131 (plus 1 on order)
1 Airbus A319-100CJ
10 Airbus A320-232 (plus 33 on order)
5 Airbus A321-232
8 ATR 72-500(plus 22 on order)
On order: 5 Airbus A330-200
On order: 5 Airbus A340-500
On order: 5 Airbus A350-800
On order: 5 Airbus A380-800
Further details on the airlines can be found on their website: http://www.flykingfisher.com
In-flight entertainment includes, video screens with headphones broadcasting 5 video channels and exclusive Kingfisher Radio - 10 channels. Recently Kingfisher won the “2006 skytrax award” for “Service Excellence for a New Airline”. It also offers frequent flyer program benefit called the “King Club”. As a King Club member, the following benefits and privileges are offered:
“1) Reward tickets
subject to the availability of King Miles in your account.
2) Tier benefits like lounge access, excess baggage & upgrades.
3) Anytime, anywhere access to your King Club account through our website
and a King Club Service Centre to handle your queries & complaints.
4) Benefits arising out of our tie-ups with Partners to the King Club programme.”
[Source: http://kingclub.flykingfisher.com]
Below are the contact numbers to make reservations:
1800 1800 101
1800 233 3131
0124 284 4700
022 6649 9393
080 4197 9797
020 2729 3030
Bookings can also be made online at www.flykingfisher.com
As an enhanced security measure, passengers traveling on flights originating from Srinagar are not allowed to carry any kind of hand baggage.
Jagson Airlines
Jagson airlines, another private owned carrier is Delhi based, and commenced its services in 1992. It is completely owned by Jagson International. This low cost budget carrier operates between Delhi, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh. Besides, it also delivers helicopter services between Srinagar, Baltal and Amarnath. The airline currently covers destinations in Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal and Rajasthan. Below are the sectors that Jason Airlines currently connects:
Delhi
Jaipur
Udaipur
Jaisalmer
Kullu
Shimla
Dharamshala
It plans to expand further in balanced phases and aims to connect more destinations like Delhi, Patna, Bangalore, Mumbai, Kolkata, Guwahati, Jaipur, Dibrugarh, Goa, Lucknow, Kochi and Hyderabad in the coming future.
As of August 2006, Jagson Airlines fleet consists of three Dornier 228-200.
Paramount Airways
With its headquarters in Coimbatore, southern India, this airline was established in the year 2005, October 19 by the Paramount Group. Another budget airline to take over the Indian skies, it caters to the needs of the Indian traveler with exceptional services. This airline currently operates only in the southern part of India. This airline is a class apart in its own unique way primarily because it offers premier affordable luxury by incorporating value added services like valet services, gourmet meals and an array of in-flight services. Moreover, Paramount Airways is the first airline of the country to offer business class services at fares that equal the economy class services of other airliners.
It currently connects the following destinations in southern India:
Bangalore, Chennai, Cochin, Coimbatore, Hyderabad Madurai and Thiruvanathapuram.
Among its fleet, it currently consists of 2 Embraer 170-100LR and 3 Embraer 175-200LR.
It further aims to expand its fleet by acquiring another 15 aircrafts from the Brazilian manufacturer Embraer. i.e. Ten 86-seater Embraer 175 and five 118 seater Embraer 195.
Currently operating between 20 destinations, it plans to cover 30 destinations after the inclusion of another aircraft to their fleet.These would include Vizag and Tirupathi from Hyderabad, Chennai, Coimbatore and Bangalore.
It offers two classes of service, First class and Business class.Bookings can be made with travel agents, Paramount Airways office or online e-tickets are available through their website at www.paramountairways.com
Reading material like newspapers and magazines are available on board. Meals and beverages are also provided on board. For further queries please visit their website or call toll free number 1800 180 1234 or 044- 43909090.
Club One Air is India’s first and only aircraft fractional Ownership Company. This means that now you can travel in your private jet without really owning one. In other words, one can avail the benefits of a privately owned jetliner, without any ownership hassles or responsibilities, and without shelling out that much money either as opposed to owning a jet aircraft or helicopter.
Primarily aiming at corporate India as well as the nations elite and the de’ la crème now get the exclusive privilege to travel with complete privacy, comfort and utmost safety.
In a three year phase plan, Club One Air aims at inducting 10 aircrafts to its fleet in each metro of the country as well a helicopter/jet in the smaller towns. Moreover, these aircrafts are well conformed to Indian weather conditions.
Club One Air started its operation with three Cessna Citation aircrafts, and plans to expand its fleet to 100 aircrafts in the next few years. Among its helicopter fleet, the Augusta 119 family of Helicopters has been inducted.
The airline fractional ownership starts from Rs.2 crore to Rs.12 crore, offering its exclusive members annual flying time.The aircraft has a capacity to conveniently accommodate 6 passengers, and can capably cover Saudi Arabia, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and at least 450 other destinations within the country.
Providing impeccable airport services without any time wastage, it offers quick check-in and arrival services. Club One Air endeavors to provide utmost luxury to its exclusive members. Super luxury cars are an added benefit to take the passenger from the terminal building to the aircraft.
It is the first and only airliner in the country to get the Wyvern Certification, “one of the aviation industry's highest commendation for aircraft and service quality, the Wyvern Certification from the Luton, UK based aviation consulting, quality and audit firm Wyvern Consulting Ltd”. [Source: Cluboneair.com]
Fractional ownership, like in this case, gives better privileges and benefits as compared to an air taxi. In case of a fractional operator, no corners are cut in the maintenance and all costs are covered. While in the case of Air Taxi, the operator may try to save money and hence compromise on safety issues.
You are paying for each flying hour. These charges are inclusive of maintenance, landing and catering, as well as fuel. Following is their contact information:
MUMBAI:
Club One Air
342 Laxmi Plaza
Near Laxmi Industrial Estate
Off New Link Road, Andheri West
Mumbai - 400 053
INDIA
Ph.: +91-22-55234810 , 55234811
Fax: +91-22-2635 8431
DELHI:
Club One Air
Presidential Estate
29 Nizamuddin East
New Delhi-110013
INDIA
Ph.: +91-11-65287409-10 (Direct Line)
+91-11- 24359650-55 (Board Line)
Fax: +91-11-24359659
It has also launched a unique concept of jet card program, which give an array of privileges to its members. This involves making a pre-purchase of a certain amount of flying hours. That way you are entitled to an assured availability of aircraft, a discount of 25% on overnight charges of Rs.65, 000. In case, the member is not able to utilize the flying hours for which he already paid, 50% of the remaining unused hours will be transferred to the next year.
They promise reliability as well utmost safety to their esteemed members. Latest features technology in avionics has been adopted. These are Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS), Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System II (TCAS II) and In-flight Safety Monitoring System (ISMS™). Highly trained pilots man these aircrafts and strict standards are adopted regarding their qualification. The aircrafts are purchased from one of the top and finest aircraft manufacturers of the world.
Indus Air
This low cost airline is based in Delhi at Indira Gandhi International Airport. It connects to a total of six destinations which include Delhi, Chandigarh, Goa, Jodhpur, Mumbai and Udaipur.
Further details on this airline can be found n their official website at http://www.indusair.biz
Below is the contact information of the airline:
Registered Office:
Flat No. 003, Plot No. 3,
RBCGHS, Sector - 10,
Dwarka - 110075.
Delhi.
Phone: 011 - 32548463
Fax: 011 - 25072808
Corporate Office:
1438, Mohan Meakin Society,
Sector - 5, Vasundhara,
Gaziabad - 201010
Uttar Pradesh.
Domestic Airport Office:
Indus Air
Terminal IB,
Domestic Airport.
New Delhi.
Phone: 011 - 25671371
Fax: 011 - 25671370
With panoply of low cost budget carriers dominating the Indian skies, the Indian traveler now has varied options to choose from, as each airline vie amongst themselves to impart impeccable services, come up with more innovative schemes and marketing strategies to build their credibility in the aviation industry. This kind of competition bears fruition in terms of further advancement, challenging inherent limitations in the aviation industry and striving towards perfection at par with their international counterparts.
There was a time when Indian Airlines reigned the Indian skies when it first started its operations on August 1, 1953. No private players had entered the aviation industry at that point and time. It was completely a Government owned industry. Today, many new entrants are embarking upon this field, offering cut throat competition to each other.
A few years back, air travel was the exclusive privilege of the wealthy and the common Indian traveler had to resort to train or road transport. When Air Deccan slashed its fares equaling that of train fares; that step revolutionized the aviation industry, making air travel within the reach of the common Indian traveler. Now, true “value for money services” is being offered by many domestic airlines. Every airline is aiming at expansion, covering and connecting more destinations, inducting more state-of-the-art aircrafts into their fleet, employing thorough trained personnel and better maintenance facilities.
However, it is a challenge for the airline industry, as it is not necessarily a smooth sail. Many pivotal factors come into play as every industry is burdened by certain amount of woes. Shortage of pilots, rising fuel costs, maintenance costs, rising labor charges, as well as cut throat competition. All of this amidst a situation, wherein, the number of domestic air passengers is growing at a rate of 25% every year. In the next five years, the current figures of 20 million passengers a year, is expected to rise to 50 million passengers. Envisaging a gold rush, the airline industry is bracing itself to keep pace with the burgeoning demands of the Indian traveler. Besides that, it also has to deal with seasonal influx of bookings, and that is precisely when true rivalry surfaces.
Now as a number of budget carriers have entered the arena, each is vying for their piece of pie. Just a year after Air Deccan commenced its operations, Vijay Mallya’s Kingfisher airlines entered the orbit with a big bang. It is offering stiff competition to its counterparts, as it intends to offer value added services and different from the banausic airliners. They are adopting innovative schemes to market their newly arrived baby. Contests like `Kingfisher flying face of the month’, trained and friendly air and ground staff donning designer uniforms as well as luxuriant interiors.
Air Deccan is aiming at constantly reducing its air travel fare further and further, which is quite comforting. This is perhaps just the beginning of rivalry as budget airlines are trying take the major share of the pie. The battle has just begun.