Chennai, July 07, 2005

The Bangalore-based airline, Air Deccan, has finalised plans to put up a 60,000 sq ft hangar in Chennai at a cost of five million US dollars. It would be ready in about eight months time.

Its managing director Capt K R Gopinath said in Chennai that the Airports Authority of India (AAI) had sanctioned 60,000 sq ft of land in the Chennai airport complex to Air Deccan for it to acquire an engineering base here. Such a hangar was essential for the airline to handle repairs and maintenance of its aircraft and parts.

Stressing the importance of Chennai in the airline's 'road map', Gopinath said south India represented a key dimension in growth of travel and tourism projects in the country. The low-cost airline would launch a 'Software Shuttle Service' linking Chennai with Bangalore and Hyderabad on an hourly basis.

"People will not have to wait long for flights or reservations. They can drive down to the airport and take the next flight within an hour, even if they miss one. There will be hourly flights linking Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad which would come as a big boon especially to executives and personnel engaged in the software industry," he said, adding this service would be available from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Capt Gopinath also announced that the Chennai-Madurai service would be extended to Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) next month.

Air Deccan is committed to 'demystifying air travel' in the country by offering lowest airfares and connecting unconnected cities. Air Deccan's vision is to 'empower every Indian to fly' and keeping this in mind, Air Deccan has launched Mr R K Laxman's 'Common Man' as its Brand Ambassador. 'Common Man' is the perfect choice for Air Deccan - 'The People's Airline', as he represents sentiments of the people and is someone who the passengers could relate to, said Gopinath.

Air Deccan has 100 per cent of its seat inventory available on the net and follows e-ticketing for its entire inventory. In its constant endeavour to bring tickets closer and simpler to purchase, Air Deccan has partnered with HPCL to distribute tickets through 22 petrol stations at Chennai. Though HPCL has already made the experience of filling fuel a more satisfying one with its Club HP retail brand, distribution of Air Deccan tickets would further add value to their customers, said M Selvakumar, chief regional manager, HPCL.

This is the first initiative of its kind in the country wherein a passenger will be able to book air tickets at a petrol station, Selvakumar said. This was first launched in Bangalore in March 2005 with 10 HPCL stations. In June 2005, 30 stations at New Delhi were inaugurated.

"There has been phenomenal response at these stations and the venture has been very successful. It has greatly benefited those who do not have immediate access to the Internet, travel agents or the airport. Tickets are available even during non-working hours as petrol pumps function from early morning to late at night making tickets more accessible to the common man", he added.

Presently, Air Deccan tickets can be purchased through the Internet (www.airdeccan.net). 24/7 call centre (080-39008888), travel agents and Air Deccan airport ticketing counters. By joining hands, HPCL and Air Deccan aim to gain synergies in attracting customers. HPCL would do it by offering more services at petrol pumps, while Air Deccan would gain access to the large base of customers visiting the petrol pump.

Capt Gopinath commented, "Two key elements for the success of a product are the affordability and accessibility of the same. We have priced our airfares at a level that is affordable and now our drive is to ensure that our tickets are easily accessible. With the depth of the HPCL network; We would be able to achieve the same. Our endeavour has been to 'simplifly' and 'demystify' air travel which includes every element of flying from the cost of tickets to booking and eventually the experience of flying. Opening up this new distribution channel will make purchasing of Air Deccan tickets more accessible".

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, popularly known as HPCL is India's premier petroleum refining marketing organisation. The Club HP retail brand launched by HPCL seeks to change the way fuel retailing is carried out in the country by stressing on providing a large bouquet of products and services to customers and making the entire experience of filling fuel a pleasant one. The 'Club HP- Achha Lagta Hai' campaign by HPCL is aimed at bringing the brand closer to the customer and occupying the top of the mind recall whenever consumers think of a petrol pump.

Since its inception in August 2003, Air Deccan has carried over 1.3 million passengers, covering 35 airports, have close to 115 flights a day, with a fleet size of 05 Airbus A 320s (180 seater) and 12 ATR 42s (48 seater).

The airline has ordered 62 brand new aircraft (32 Airbus A 320s and 30 ATR- 72- 500s) to be delivered over the next five years, which will take up its flights close to 600 per day by the end of five years. (R Rangaraj)

http://www.chennaionline.com/colnews/newsitem.asp?
NEWSID=%7BE7681EB3%2D823C%2D49F1%2D97F2%2D41068FF42353%7D&CATEGORYNAME=National