Kingfisher launch their first international airline service between London and Bangalore. In a typically flamboyant gesture on the eve of the London route's launch, made during a flying visit to attend a conference by the UK-India Business Council (UKIBC), Vijay Mallya presented the 300 guests at a black-tie dinner with free tickets on the new route.
Mallya responded to queries about the project's viability, claiming that Bangalore's growing links to Britain would mean that the route would become profitable, despite the crisis afflicting the aviation sector.
"With respect, that is a view of those who are based in England and Europe, who are listening and watching the problems of airlines over here," he said.
"The truth is that there is a huge amount of potential in flying between Bangalore and London. The links between the two cities are greater than ever, but the only operator (between the cities) is BA — nobody else flies that route. Our first flight is almost 80 per cent full with revenue-paying guests, and so is the flight going back on the same day. And this has been achieved in just about nine days of selling."
"With respect, that is a view of those who are based in England and Europe, who are listening and watching the problems of airlines over here," he said.
"The truth is that there is a huge amount of potential in flying between Bangalore and London. The links between the two cities are greater than ever, but the only operator (between the cities) is BA — nobody else flies that route. Our first flight is almost 80 per cent full with revenue-paying guests, and so is the flight going back on the same day. And this has been achieved in just about nine days of selling."
Mallya is expected to launch a second Heathrow service, from Bombay, next month. There are also plans for Kingfisher to fly between Bangalore and San Francisco.
Mallya's new route has won the backing of the UKIBC, a government-sponsored body setting up trade and links between India and the UK.
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