Kingfisher Air increases distribution lines

Vijay Mallya-promoted Kingfisher Airlines is expanding its reach domestically and internationally through distribution arrangements.

The airline, which is planning to sign interline agreements with over 20 international airlines, has made strategic arrangements with e-ticketing facilitators and global distribution platform.

This full service airline has tied up with ATM and financial software solutions major FSS for e-ticketing services.

Kingfisher Airlines, head of sales, Manoj Chacko said the tie-up will enable the company to expand its reach and facilitate easy procurement and payment of tickets through his ATM card. Till recently, only private sector banks like ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank were active in deploying point-of-sale (POS) terminals.

FSS vice president, POS and value-added services, Anup Nayar said, "When the customer calls on the customer care helpline of Kingfisher Airlines, he will be given a booking reference number. Simultaneously, the customer care executive will also give him the details of the nearest merchant establishment where he could go and pick up his tickets, after making the payments. The services are expected to be launched by April 2006."

Kingfisher Airlines has also tied up with travel technology company, Galileo International, which will enable it to expand its reach and distribution. Galileo International is a leading global distribution system (GDS), and subsidiary of Cendant Travel Distribution Services (TDS).

This agreement will ensure that Kingfisher Airlines' fares and inventory are available on Galileo's GDS platform.

Under this agreement, Galileo, which has access to 65 per cent of the IATA Travel Agent base in India and connects with 50,000 travel agents across the globe, would enable Kingfisher Airlines to further strengthen its presence, in both the domestic and international markets and help the air-traveller choose the best flight option in the Indian skies.

Chacko said: "In addition to increasing access, harnessing the global distribution of Galileo will further increase our market share of international travelers flying within India."

Kingfisher Airlines currently operates more than 72 flights a day and connects 15 key Indian business and leisure destinations. Kingfisher Airlines had entered into an interline agreement with international low-fare carrier Air Arabia LLC whereby passengers of both the airlines get to connect to each other's destinations.

It recently placed a fresh order for 15 additional ATR 72-500 aircraft in a deal valued at $270 million in addition to orders for five Airbus A380s, five A350s and five A330s.