Praying for Time

India’s first low-cost airline, Air Deccan, has been using an “Everyone Can Fly” approach to lure customers from a population where 96 percent of the people have never flown in a plane. Launched in 2003 with tickets for a bargain $11, it coincided with the start of an economic boom for a middle class of more than 300 million people. India’s vast size makes air travel attractive, but only the very wealthy used airlines. Air Deccan has grown but also faces stiff competition from other low-cost carriers, creating operational instability in the race for share. It acquired a reputation for being unreliable as a result. By 2005, management began planning changes and brought in a new team that would install more systematic approaches. A yield management system was put in place by a Dublin-based consultant, and steps were taking to ensure a steady stream of trained pilots and crews. Although the outlook is optimistic, cash and investment capital are still in short supply. But passenger numbers in India are growing so rapidly that there should be a significant demand for years to come.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00022543
• Authors:
  • Pandit, Shruti
• Publication Date: 2007-5

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 48-49, 52
• Serial:
  • ATW: Air Transport World
  • Volume: 44
  • Issue Number: 5
  • Publisher: Penton Media
  • ISSN: 0002-2543

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Airlines; Cost control; Customer service; Low cost carriers; Management
• Geographic Terms: India
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Aviation; Economics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01050334
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: UC Berkeley Transportation Library
• Files: BTRIS, TRIS
• Created Date: May 31 2007 7:29AM