NEDUMBASSERY: Air-India Express (AIE), the no-frills subsidiary of Air-India, is set to increase the number of services from Kerala to the Gulf region during the forthcoming winter schedule, Company Secretary and the General Manager (Public Relations), Air India, S. Venkat said here on Monday.

Mr. Venkat was in Kochi in connection with the launch of `meet and greet' facility introduced by the airline for its business class passengers. Addressing a press conference, he said the low cost carrier has performed exceedingly well in State during the last one-year since its launch in April 29, 2005.

Mr. Venkat said AIE flights from the State had consistently registered a load factor of over 90 per cent. The budget carrier started off with 26 services a week, which was gradually expanded to 38 services. In the yet to be announced 2006 winter schedule, this would be further increased to 44 services and a portion of this increase will be from the Kochi airport, he said.

Proposal to increase the frequency of services between Dubai and Kochi from the present eight to 12 a week is under consideration, K.M. Kurian, commercial manager (Kerala), of the airline said.

Presently the AIE operates 23 services in a week out of Kochi airport. At present the AIE's fleet comprises seven B737-800s taken on lease.

"We have placed orders for 18 more aircraft at a cost of nearly Rs.5000 crore. The first of these aircraft are expected by November or December this year while ten more new aircraft are likely to be received in the course of next year," he said.

Seats increased

The total number of seats from Kerala has been increased and a further increase during the winter schedule was being planned. Aircraft capacity has been increased by 18 per cent and the availability of economy class seats increased by 29 per cent in the current summer schedule compared to the summer schedule in the previous year, Mr. Kurian informed.

"B737-800s are new generation aircraft, the airline had to hire as many as 40 pilots on contract from different countries. However, we are now training our pilots and co-pilots so that there would be absolutely no shortage of pilots when new aircraft are inducted," e said.

Mr. Venkat said the AIE was awaiting clearances from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur for commencing services to these destinations from Chennai.

Growing market

Stating that Kerala was a growing aviation market, Mr. Venkat attributed it to two factors — affordable fares and increase in dispensable income.

"Affordable fares have enabled people to frequently," he pointed out.

Dispelling allegations that the airline was fleecing passengers during peak season by hiking fares, Mr. Venkat said despite the hike, the AIE fares were much lower than that offered by its competitors.

"Currently, the peak season fares offered by foreign carriers in the Kerala-Gulf sector are in the Rs.13,500-Rs.16,500 range. AIE charges only between Rs.8,999 and Rs.11,700 during the peak season," he said.

He justified the hike stating that it was normal for any industry to effect a hike during peak seasons.

He said Air-India, being an equity partner and the ground-handling agent of the Kochi airport, was willing to participate in any future expansion projects of the airport.

He said Air-India would introduce a new reservation system, named CUTE (Common User Terminal Equipment) at the Kochi airport in the next two or three months.

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