Branson in on something?
 

Just heard the news about the second attempt, by Richard Branson to enter a foreign domestic market, this time in India. It strikes me as being a rather intelligent move. One billion people? Rising Incomes?

Anyone see a similarity to North America?

It seems to me that Branson will be tapping into a lucrative market...



link - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/mai...04/ixcity.html

Brings a whole, new meaning to " I fancy an Indian"

Indeed a good move by him. It is very difficult for one to get tickets to and from India. In fact during peak periods impossible. So an increase in frequency would be very welcome.

As I understand, Air Deccan theone year old LCC is the prime candidate. Air Deccan promoters are already on talks to divest some of their stake to an outside investor, so I guess if the price is right, Virgin Cola or Virgin Music might be the one . Rival Jet Airways has successfully managed to put in a clause in the government's guidelines to ensure that no "foreign airline" can pick up a fiancial stake in a domestic airline.

Other possible candidates for acquistion being bandied about are Kingfisher , the LCC due to get off the ground by middle of next year or may be even Air Sahara.

There is no doubt about the potential for an LCC here in India. Air Deccan's cheapest fares start at 700 Rs (10 Pounds) inclusive of taxes, and one year after they have started, we have seen even main line carriers like Jet Airways and Indian Airlines offering some really low fares,

Indian passengers are really having a great time.

Would appear the various airlines in India have stopped this occurring. Branson is attepting to get around certain regulations by acting as a personal investor and not corporate. It wont happen any time soon.

A little bit off topic, but what's the deal with Virgin Nigeria? Was wondering if they're really are going to start next year with 320's and 340's. Seems great to me! Does anyone has some info about this new airline?

Lil' P

Thanx scroggs for the link. I really like Branson in that native dress :D

Ciao, Lil' P

New UK-India routes:

From inside VS it is being admited that they are very dissapointed with not getting a daily service to mumbai- the reason why loads to delhi (under ai codeshare) were so low was beacuse the 3 times week service wasnt appealing to J pax who want a daily service! Now they get DEL daily thus getting more J pax and they have the same problem with Mumbai. It will be interesting to see if VS go into a codeshare with BD on the route, after all BD cant operate the route due to a shortage of a/c. VS can with the arrival of 2 moire 346's in Feb/April.


India Domestic:

SRB (Richard Branson btw) want to launch the airline using air deccan but of course was memoribly quoted as saying he wld never buy an airline after the mess up with the whole virgin express venture. He wants to do a Virgin Blue in India- a super idea. Like in Oz he will also launch Virgin Moblie India at the same time thus pushing the virgin brand in an untapped market!!! Super idea really!

So how long before Virgin China!!!!!

Considering this would be a real gem in Dick's portfolio perhaps he'll call it Virgin Ruby.

dd