Kingfisher Airlines to exit the low-fare “Kingfisher Red” market

September 28, 2011 — Kingfisher Airlines

Kingfisher Airlines Airbus A319-131 VT-KFI (msn 2634) BKK (Guillaume Besnard), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Kingfisher Airlines (Mumbai) has announced it will exit its low-fare segment known as “Kingfisher Red” and concentrate on its premium international routes and services.

Kingfisher Red, known formerly as Simplifly Deccan and previously as Air Deccan, is the low-cost brand of Kingfisher Airlines.

Formerly known as Air Deccan, the airline was previously operated by Deccan Aviation. It was started by Captain G. R. Gopinath and its first flight operated on August 23, 2003 from Hyderabad to Vijaywada. It was known popularly as the common man’s airline and Gopinath wanted every one to be able to fly cheaply.

On December 19, 2007, it was announced that Air Deccan would be acquired and merged with Kingfisher Airlines.

Since Indian aviation regulations prohibited domestic airlines from flying on international routes until they had operated in the domestic market for five years, it was decided to instead merge Kingfisher Airlines into Deccan Aviation, following which Deccan Aviation would be renamed Kingfisher Airlines. This was because Air Deccan was the older of the two airlines, and therefore would be the first to qualify for flying on international routes. The merger became effective in April 2008, with Vijay Mallya becoming the Chairman and CEO of the new company, while G. R. Gopinath became its Vice Chairman.

Read the full story from Reuters: CLICK HERE

Kingfisher Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Guillaume Besnard.

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