Air Deccan eyes Rs 500 cr turnover

Air Deccan, a unit of Deccan Aviation Pvt Ltd, aims to become a Rs 500 crore company by the end of the current financial year.

The company has posted a turnover of around Rs 100 crore at the end of the financial year 2003-04.

The company also aims to become a national carrier with a regional focus and is planning to introduce flights all over the country.

"We are planning to expand in a big way and become a Rs 500 crore company by the end of the current financial year. We already have a strong presence in south India and at present, our expansion plans in the western region of the country are progressing. By the year-end, we aim to cover almost all important cities of the country, including the northern and the eastern regions apart from the south and west," said G R Gopinath, managing director, Air Deccan.

Air Deccan is already connecting all important destinations of south India including, Belgaum, Hubli, Mangalore, Coimbatore, Madurai, Rajahmundry and Vijaywada with Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Mumbai.

The company is planning to introduce new service in the western region from April 26.

It will commence Ahmedabad-Mumbai, Ahmedabad-Bhuj, Vadodara-Mumbai, Bhavnagar-Mumbai, Mumbai-Belgaum, Mumbai-Goa, Mumbai-Kolhapur and Kolhapur-Belgaum flights.

After the western region, the company has planned a major expansion drive in the northern region in June, connecting Delhi, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Shimla, Kulu, Manali, among others. By the year-end, the company plans to expand in the eastern parts, consoliadating its base throughout the country.

The company has a modern fleet of 48-seater ATR aircraft, one of the finest and most efficient turbo prop aircraft flying, the company has said.

ATR is an European joint venture between Alenia and EADS.

The ATR 42 has become a reference aircraft amongst airlines around the world, by offering a safe, easy to maintain, and comfortable aircraft operating on the regional market with the best economics on the short haul.

Till date, ATR has sold over 650 aircraft to more than 100 operators in 73 countries all around the world.

The company is also planning to procure seven airbuses.

"With the common man in mind, we aim to provide an easy gateway to our ticketing procedures. We are the first airline in the country to provide e-ticketing facility to our customers.

"An Air Deccan ticket on any route is just a phone call away or just a click away. Easy payment procedures further simplify our process," said Gopinath.

"Our company has adopted a 'lean-and-mean' approach to staffing and aims at maintaining a low aircraft-to-employee ratio. we have some of the most experienced administrators, aircrew and engineers on our rolls. A good work culture coupled with skilled workforce is the back bone of the company," said Gopinath.

"At Air Deccan, we provide the passengers a safe and reliable flying experience at an affordable cost.

"Our mission is to keep our fares low and keep lowering them with time. To achieve this, we have eliminated standard airline frills like on-board catering, business lounges, upper class seats and other promotional services," Gopinath said.