Kingfisher Airlines
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Kingfisher Airlines
Kingfisher Airlines, an Indian budget airline backed by the country's largest beer company, said on Wednesday it had signed a deal with Airbus to acquire 12 A320 jets for USD$750 million.
Kingfisher has also signed a deal with GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) to lease four more A320s, for an investment of 1 billion rupees (USD$21 million), which will enable it to begin services in January, the statement said.
Airbus had announced the sale last week, but Kingfisher had only committed to four planes, with options to buy eight more.
Kingfisher Airlines is the brainchild of Indian businessman Vijay Mallya, whose UB Group owns the Kingfisher beer label.
"My model is not to sell the airline cheap, but some players are promising a blood bath and we are ready for it," Mallya told reporters at a news conference to announce his plans.
The cost of flying would be lower than economy class travel on full-service airlines, and marginally more than the 'bus services' from low-cost competition, he added.
The Kingfisher aircraft will seat 180 passengers all in one class, and will be known as 'funliners', Mallya said.
Known to some of his associates as the "Richard Branson of India", Mallya also said an initial public offering for his airline was on the cards. "But when and what price, time will tell."
Indian airlines are not allowed to serve alcoholic beverages on domestic routes, but Mallya said he will continue lobbying the government to allow him to sell beer on board.
"Why shouldn't I serve beer?" he asked.
Kingfisher has also signed a deal with GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) to lease four more A320s, for an investment of 1 billion rupees (USD$21 million), which will enable it to begin services in January, the statement said.
Airbus had announced the sale last week, but Kingfisher had only committed to four planes, with options to buy eight more.
Kingfisher Airlines is the brainchild of Indian businessman Vijay Mallya, whose UB Group owns the Kingfisher beer label.
"My model is not to sell the airline cheap, but some players are promising a blood bath and we are ready for it," Mallya told reporters at a news conference to announce his plans.
The cost of flying would be lower than economy class travel on full-service airlines, and marginally more than the 'bus services' from low-cost competition, he added.
The Kingfisher aircraft will seat 180 passengers all in one class, and will be known as 'funliners', Mallya said.
Known to some of his associates as the "Richard Branson of India", Mallya also said an initial public offering for his airline was on the cards. "But when and what price, time will tell."
Indian airlines are not allowed to serve alcoholic beverages on domestic routes, but Mallya said he will continue lobbying the government to allow him to sell beer on board.
"Why shouldn't I serve beer?" he asked.
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A380 for Kingfisher
KINGFISHER BECOMES FIRST INDIAN CUSTOMER FOR A330, A350 AND A380
Kingfisher Airlines has become the first Indian carrier to sign a firm contract with Airbus for the A330, the A350 and the A380 with a firm order for five A350-800s plus five A380s for intercontinental services, and five A330-200s for regional routes.
Announcing the deal, Noël Forgeard, Airbus President and CEO, said the value of the order was in excess of three billion US dollars. “India is one of the world’s most promising markets. In the five weeks since its launch, Kingfisher flights have been completely sold out. We are looking forward to a long and fruitful relationship.”
Deliveries of Kingfisher’s Airbus A330s are due to begin in the third quarter of 2007, those of the double-deck A380s in 2010, and those of the A350s in 2012.
Dr Vijay Mallya, Chairman of the UB Group, the parent company of Kingfisher Airlines, said: “It is matter of great national pride to be the first to firmly order the A380 in India.”
Kingfisher Airlines is a rapidly growing company reflecting the significant increase in air travel demand in this region. In the words of Dr Vijay Mallya, “Air traffic in India is growing at 25 per cent plus not only on domestic flights but on international routes. In five years time, it will be a no-brainer to fill an A380.”
Kingfisher’s A380s will be used on routes from Mumbai to New York. “We intend to fly the A380 in a three-class configuration with 496 seats and to provide passengers with the Kingfisher experience.”
Kingfisher Airlines has become the first Indian carrier to sign a firm contract with Airbus for the A330, the A350 and the A380 with a firm order for five A350-800s plus five A380s for intercontinental services, and five A330-200s for regional routes.
Announcing the deal, Noël Forgeard, Airbus President and CEO, said the value of the order was in excess of three billion US dollars. “India is one of the world’s most promising markets. In the five weeks since its launch, Kingfisher flights have been completely sold out. We are looking forward to a long and fruitful relationship.”
Deliveries of Kingfisher’s Airbus A330s are due to begin in the third quarter of 2007, those of the double-deck A380s in 2010, and those of the A350s in 2012.
Dr Vijay Mallya, Chairman of the UB Group, the parent company of Kingfisher Airlines, said: “It is matter of great national pride to be the first to firmly order the A380 in India.”
Kingfisher Airlines is a rapidly growing company reflecting the significant increase in air travel demand in this region. In the words of Dr Vijay Mallya, “Air traffic in India is growing at 25 per cent plus not only on domestic flights but on international routes. In five years time, it will be a no-brainer to fill an A380.”
Kingfisher’s A380s will be used on routes from Mumbai to New York. “We intend to fly the A380 in a three-class configuration with 496 seats and to provide passengers with the Kingfisher experience.”
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Yesh, apaddyinuk, I agree. Very ambishous. Very ambishous indeed. But this Kingfisher ish going down a treat. In fact I'll have another. Mine's a large one, barman. Yesh, I'm on the Kingfisher Schpecial Brew. Thank you. Hick. 
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Agree with Left Coaster about the beer, much prefer King Beer when in country, cheaper too.
Quite an achievement for an airline less than a year old to be setting their sights on developing into an international airline but the UB group certainly have the resources to fend off the competition and grow like they plan.
What routes (other than NY) would be available to King Fisher for such a mix of aircraft?
Quite an achievement for an airline less than a year old to be setting their sights on developing into an international airline but the UB group certainly have the resources to fend off the competition and grow like they plan.
What routes (other than NY) would be available to King Fisher for such a mix of aircraft?
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Kingfisher Airlines
The BAA website is showing a Kingfisher Airlines flight arriving in Glasgow at 0630 on Wed morning. Strangely shows arrival from Bombay rather than Mumbai.
Anybody any idea whether this is a computer glitch or is it for real, and if so why?
Just curious.
Anybody any idea whether this is a computer glitch or is it for real, and if so why?
Just curious.
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It will be the VIP configured A319 or A320 (not sure what model) attending the EUFA cup final. Dont know who is on board, but it is getting quite common around Europe and even ventures over to the States.
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Good point, well made, yes it was last week got the Champions league in my head !!
Cheers
P.S Was in Bombay a few weeks back and sampled Kingfisher beer, goes down really nice but it gave me a cracking hangover. ! Still suffering.
Cheers
P.S Was in Bombay a few weeks back and sampled Kingfisher beer, goes down really nice but it gave me a cracking hangover. ! Still suffering.
Kingfisher orders 10 A380
It looks like a bold move, These machines need to be full all the time to make a profit, the future of aviation is just going to be more competitive and one (airline) has to think twice before getting involved with VLA's (380, 747) and even 340 (maintenance costs, engines, landing gear, and the price of fuel that will only go up...) That's why I'm a great fan of the 777 (and soon the 787) and to a lesser degree A330, I'll take 2 of those anytime over a single 380 or 747. How about the afterlife into the Cargo world ? will the 380 be competitive ? probably not.
Any Thoughts ?
http://www.livemint.com/2008/01/1323...80-orders.html
Any Thoughts ?
http://www.livemint.com/2008/01/1323...80-orders.html
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The numbers are certainly there
If there is one part of the world which has the population to be able to fill up a lot of 380 size a/c,it is the Indian Subcontinent.
Thanks to Deccan's pioneering eforts in bringing smaller cities into the air map of india,as also low cost air travel(now coming into a more realistic price line)--a lot of the population has got access to and interest in flying, as a viable mode of transportation.
While infrastucture constraints posed by higher frequencies can only be addressed upto a finite numbr of a/c movemnts,those posed by handling large numbers of pax can and are being taken care of under current projects,which will be ready by the time the bulk of the new a/c arrive.
Under the present consolidation happenning in the sector,it would certaintly make better sense to operate one 380 rather then four 320s between high density travel city pairs(both international and domestic)
With Kingfishers emphasis on quality of experience,they certainly have the potential to get a kings share of the pie in the sky!
Thanks to Deccan's pioneering eforts in bringing smaller cities into the air map of india,as also low cost air travel(now coming into a more realistic price line)--a lot of the population has got access to and interest in flying, as a viable mode of transportation.
While infrastucture constraints posed by higher frequencies can only be addressed upto a finite numbr of a/c movemnts,those posed by handling large numbers of pax can and are being taken care of under current projects,which will be ready by the time the bulk of the new a/c arrive.
Under the present consolidation happenning in the sector,it would certaintly make better sense to operate one 380 rather then four 320s between high density travel city pairs(both international and domestic)
With Kingfishers emphasis on quality of experience,they certainly have the potential to get a kings share of the pie in the sky!
Last edited by leftseatview; 26th Jan 2008 at 11:37.
Also will the option of freighter conversions be relevant any more with the new generation ? Doesnt seem to be any prospect at present of a conversion on the 777, but doesnt seem to have slowed its sales down , think 787/350 will be the same because of construction methods. Perhaps when the 747/767/330 generation are finished we will end up with dedicated new build freighters?
