Published on Mon, Sep 11, 2006 at 09:08 | Source : Moneycontrol.com
Updated at Mon, Sep 11, 2006 at 13:37
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Kingfisher plans airport drops via helicopter
Missing a flight due to heavy road traffic might not be a hassle anymore as CNBC-TV18 learns that Kingfisher Airlines has plans to get its business class passengers in Mumbai and Bangalore to the airport in a helicopter.
During peak traffic hours, getting to the airport from Nariman Point could take the same amount of time as flying from Mumbai to Kolkata, two hours and twenty minutes. To tide over this problem Kingfisher Airlines plans to launch helicopter services in Mumbai and Bangalore for its business class, Kingfisher First, passengers.
Vijay Mallya, CEO & Chairman, Kingfisher Airlines says that the distance and the time taken to the airport sometimes exceeds the flight time. " I think our guests on Kingfisher First, and maybe Kingfisher Class, will also appreciate the helicopter service, which would save a lot of time and hassle. Yes, we're seriously working on that," he says.
The airline is in talks with the government owned Pawan Hans and European helicopter maker Eurocopter. If it comes through, Kingfisher will initially organise pick-up and drops from Mahalaxmi and Cuffe Parade, Nariman Point and Sassoon Docks.
Passengers will have to pay 20-30% more for this service. For instance, on a Rs 18,000 Mumbai-Delhi Kingfisher First fare, passengers will have to fork out Rs 4000-5,000 more.
Major airline systems like American Airlines and Virgin Atlantic have been extending such add on services to their passengers abroad. With Kingfisher coming up with a similar proposal it looks the market is now ready for it here as well. Or maybe it has more to do with the pathetic condition of roads in two of our most happening metros.
The airline is in talks with the government owned Pawan Hans and European helicopter maker Eurocopter. If it comes through, Kingfisher will initially organise pick-up and drops from Mahalaxmi and Cuffe Parade, Nariman Point and Sassoon Docks.
