Skytrax, a UK based specialist Global Air Transport Research Advisor recognizes airline for developing & implementing higher level of customer service

Mumbai, February 19, 2006,-Kingfisher Airlines, India`s fastest growing airline and the first Indian carrier to offer Full Service at True value, including a personalized in-flight entertainment system on every seat on domestic routes, today added yet another feather in its cap with the announcement that it has been bestowed the 2006 Award for `Service Excellence for a New airline` by Skytrax, a UK based specialist global air transport advisor.

The SKYTRAX AWARDS for AIRLINE EXCELLENCE provide the most prestigious recognition of outstanding Quality Excellence for product and customer service delivery across today`s global airline industry. A true mark of airline Quality Achievement, the SKYTRAX AWARDS are the result of the most comprehensive analysis of product and service standards.

Sharing his elation at receiving this recognition from what is regarded as the global barometer of passenger opinions about airlines, Dr. Vijay Mallya, Chairman and Managing Director, Kingfisher Airlines Limited said, "I am absolutely delighted that within just 10 months of operations, Kingfisher Airlines has been awarded the `Award for Service Excellence for a New Airline`. It is gratifying to see that our unrelenting efforts to re-define quality standards in Indian Aviation have been recognized. This award means a lot to us because it expresses the opinion of travelers across the board and because Skytrax surveys are so highly-regarded within the travel

industry. This survey is not just a vote about the product facilities offered, but combines customers` very clear perceptions about our service standards". "I dedicate this award to the entire team at Kingfisher Airlines. We are committed to raising the bar and will continue to do so", added Dr. Mallya.

This award comes close on the heels of the recent accolade given to the airline by CAPA-The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation in December 2005.CAPA recognized and honoured Kingfisher Airlines for its significant innovation and outstanding customer experience and voted it as the "Best New Airline of the Year 2005" in the Asia Pacific and Middle East region.

Commenting on the SKYTRAX AWARDS , Mr. Peter Miller, Director Marketing at Skytrax said " The SKYTRAX AWARDS honour airlines where we quantify that quality of product and service levels are at their best – and are consistent. These independent Awards honour outstanding Product and Service Excellence for across the air travel experience. These awards are based on `real` Quality standards – in other words, the actual quality of product and service being delivered, every hour of every day, to an airline`s customers. It is this level of Quality consistency which is our primary objective in the Awards programme. Not the glossy photos or temptations that may be portrayed by an airline marketing campaign, but the front-line service realities."

"Aside from the fascinating description of their aircraft fleet as "Funliners", Kingfisher Airlines has developed and implemented a new and higher level of customer service across much of the Indian subcontinent", added Mr. Miller.

Skytrax carries out the `world`s largest airline passenger survey` that covers areas of the airline industry that provide the passenger with an above average standard for innovation, quality, product and service achievement. Free of outside or financial influences, it is the only airline survey that achieves a truly worldwide audience – comprising more than 94 different respondent nationalities in 2005. Assessment for Awards applies a detailed Product and Service agenda – covering up to 800 different rating items.

Kingfisher Airlines currently operates 70 flights a day. In keeping with its growth plans, Kingfisher Airlines recently placed a fresh order for 15 additional ATR 72-500 aircraft in a deal valued at US$270 million. Kingfisher Airlines is also the first Indian carrier to have placed an order for five Airbus super jumbo A380s, five A350s and five A330s. The deliveries of A330s are expected to begin in 2007 while the A380s and A350s arrive in 2010 and 2012 respectively.

About Kingfisher Airlines

Kingfisher Airlines is India`s first and only private airline to commence operations with a brand new fleet of aircraft. Kingfisher Airlines offers Full Service at True Value and promises an unparalleled experience to the Indian air traveler. For the first time in the Indian skies, Kingfisher Airlines offers world-class in-flight entertainment with personal video screens for every seat. There`s a wide selection of 5 video channels and 10 audio channels available on-board. Also on offer are extra-wide seats and spacious leg room, delicious gourmet meals, international-class cabin crew and a whole host of comforts and delights. Kingfisher Airlines also facilitates doorstep delivery of tickets on guest request. Fly the Good Times with Kingfisher Airlines. For more information on Kingfisher Airlines log on to www.flykingfisher.com

About The UB Group

The UB Group is one of India`s largest conglomerates with a turnover in excess of US $2 billion, with diverse interests in brewing, distilling, real estate, engineering, fertilizers, biotechnology, IT and aviation. In June 2005, The UB Group acquired management control of Shaw Wallace and Company Ltd. This transaction has catapulted The UB Group`s Spirits Division into becoming the third largest liquor company in the world with 15 millionaire brands in its portfolio, and annual sales in excess of 60 million cases. Kingfisher Airlines is a wholly owned subsidiary of United Breweries Holdings limited, the UB Group`s investments holding company. For more information on The UB Group log on to www.theubgroup.com

About SKYTRAX

SKYTRAX is the leading independent research and quality evaluation agency for the world air transport industry. The SKYTRAX Awards provide the most prestigious recognition of outstanding Quality Excellence for product and customer service delivery across today`s world airline industry.

About the awards methodology

The Survey Report analyses Survey data, collated from a variety of input sources, including:
Passenger Interviews completed online & via e-mail Questionnaire
Skytrax Travel Panel Interviews
Corporate Travel Questionnaire / Interviews
Telephone Interviews
Selective Passenger Interviews

The Awards panel is made up of Directors and Audit staff at Skytrax, with additional grading for the 2006 award process utilising a selective study amongst 3,424 members of the SKYTRAX Business Research Group. Launched in 1991, the SKYTRAX Business Research Group (BRG) comprises corporate travellers, undertaking air travel on a frequent basis. Approximately 53 per cent of Business Research Group members work with major international corporations, 41 per cent with SME`s – a balance comprising a mixture of governmental staff, self-employed consultants etc. The travel frequency for BRG members comprises a minimum of 6 intercontinental long haul return trips in a 12 month period – a return trip counting as 2 flights. The BRG members originate from over 59 countries, and 78 nationalities are represented. Female travellers make up 13.4 per cent of BRG membership – with this currently increasing at approx 0.87 per cent per annum.

For further information please contact:
Prakash Mirpuri: +91 98210 91715 / [email protected]