Airline’s commencement of operations to Singapore boosts number of weekly flights on Singapore – Mumbai route by 25%
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Mr Rajesh Verma, Executive Vice President, Kingfisher Airlines Limited and Mr. Siva Ramachandran, Vice President, Global Sales, Kingfisher Airlines Limited along with Mr Tan Lye Teck, Executive Vice President, Corporate, Changi Airport Group inaugurating the first flight from Mumbai to Singapore at the Singapore Changi Airport on September 17, 2009. |
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The Mascarenhas' family were the first to receive their boarding passes and one free return air-ticket for Kingfisher Airlines' inaugural Singapore-Mumbai flight. In this picture, they are greeted by Mr Rajesh Verma, Executive Vice President, Kingfisher Airlines Limited and Mr. Siva Ramachandran, Vice President, Global Sales, Kingfisher Airlines Limited along with Mr Tan Lye Teck, Executive Vice President, Corporate, Changi Airport Group. |
Mumbai, September 17, 2009 –Changi Airport Group today received Kingfisher Airlines at Singapore Changi Airport when flight IT029 from Mumbai landed at Terminal 3 at 0705hrs. A warm welcome was extended to passengers onboard the flight, which included Mr Rajesh Verma, Executive Vice President, Airport Services of Kingfisher Airlines Limited. Kingfisher Airlines is the seventh new airline to commence operations to Changi Airport this year.
Kingfisher Airlines will operate daily flights between Singapore and Mumbai. Flight IT029 departs Mumbai at 2305hrs and arrives in Singapore at 0705hrs. The return flight, IT030, leaves Singapore at 1015hrs, arriving in Mumbai at 1305hrs. These flights increase the number of flights on the Singapore – Mumbai route by 25% to 70 per week, with five airlines, including Kingfisher Airlines, plying the route.
The start of Kingfisher Airlines’ operations at Changi Airport signals the airline’s confidence in the traffic growth potential between Singapore and India. India is Singapore’s fourth largest source of tourist arrivals by air. In 2008, there were 2.5 million passenger movements between India and Singapore. Including Kingfisher Airlines, eight passenger airlines now fly between Singapore and 11 cities in India on 308 weekly scheduled flights.
Dr. Vijay Mallya, Chairman and CEO, Kingfisher Airlines Limited, said, “I am delighted that Kingfisher Airlines will now be flying to Singapore and offer daily direct flights to Mumbai. With the award-winning Kingfisher Experience and the premium five star service, discerning flyers between Singapore and Mumbai will now have the option to fly with India’s favourite airline and enjoy our personalised and luxurious hospitality that is aimed at bringing back the element of style in flying. I would like to thank Changi Airport Group for the extremely warm welcome that our inaugural flight and the members of our Leadership Team received today upon arrival at Changi Airport, today.”
Mr Lee Seow Hiang, Chief Executive Officer of Changi Airport Group, said, “The arrival of Kingfisher Airlines at Changi Airport further enhances the already strong air links between India and Singapore. With many exciting tourism events coming up, such as the annual Formula One Grand Prix, next year’s Youth Olympic Games and the opening of the two integrated resorts at Marina Bay and Sentosa, Singapore looks forward to an increasing number of visitors from India, which will provide carriers like Kingfisher Airlines with tremendous growth opportunities.”
With the addition of Kingfisher Airlines, Changi Airport is served by 87 scheduled airlines operating more than 4,770 weekly scheduled flights to 197 cities in 60 countries.
About Changi Airport Group
Changi Airport Group was formed on 1 July 2009 as a result of the corporatisation of Singapore Changi Airport. As the airport company managing Changi Airport, one of the world’s best airports, Changi Airport Group undertakes operational functions focusing on airport operations and management, commercial activities and airport emergency services. Through its subsidiary Changi Airports International, the Group invests in and manages foreign airports to spread the success of Changi Airport far and wide.
Addressing media persons who had gathered to witness the flag off the inaugural flight, Mr. AK Ravi Nedungadi, Director, Kingfisher Airlines Limited said, “A growing number of travellers from India to Hong Kong and the South East Asia are demanding more choice, greater luxury and better value for money when choosing flights for business and leisure trips to India. There is tremendous potential for this route which Kingfisher Airlines is committed to developing with its new aircraft and superior service. With our award-winning service, our flights will offer guests who travel on these routes, a truly five-star, world-class flying experience.”
Mr. Siva Ramachandran, Vice President, Global Sales, Kingfisher Airlines Limited added, “Tourism and business between India and South East Asia are growing rapidly, driven by ongoing economic development, growing trade and rising incomes. At the same time, leisure and corporate flyers are demanding more. This is a fantastic opportunity for Kingfisher Airlines as we are pioneers in redefining the flying experience and providing personal service that meets the needs of sophisticated flyers.”
Earlier in the day, the maiden flight of Kingfisher Airlines was welcomed by Mr. Howard Eng, Executive Director, Airport Operations, Hong Kong International Airport. A welcome ceremony was held just outside gate 61 of Hong Kong Airport where guests were welcomed with a traditional Indian aarti tikka ceremony.
Starting today, Kingfisher Airlines will also launches flights between Mumbai and Singapore. Kingfisher Airlines has a fleet of 71 aircraft and flies to 65 cities in India and 7 international destinations. It has over 360 daily departures on its domestic route network with 126 flights a week on its international route network.
About Kingfisher Airlines:
Kingfisher Airlines is India's only Five Star airline rated by Skytrax, and the only one to offer premium first class service on domestic routes. Besides being the first and only airline in India to offer in-flight entertainment on every seat, Kingfisher offers LIVE TV on many domestic routes in India with 16 channels of live and exciting content. The airline has received numerous awards for innovation, customer responsiveness and was voted the ‘Best New Airline of the Year’, within months of its launch. Kingfisher Airlines has a fleet of 71 aircraft and flies to 65 cities in India and 7 international destinations. It has over 360 daily departures on its domestic route network with 126 flights a week on its international route network.
Kingfisher Airlines is a part of the UB Group that is one of India’s largest conglomerates with diverse interests and a global presence. The UB Group is also the largest Indian alcoholic beverages (beer and spirits) company and the third largest drinks group in the world. Kingfisher Airlines caters to all segments of the air travel ranging from low-fare service-Kingfisher Red, to the premium economy service-Kingfisher Class, to the luxurious Kingfisher First.
For more information, please visit www.flykingfisher.com
For further information, members of the media may contact:
| Prakash Mirpuri Vice President -Corporate Communications, The UB Group, Mumbai Wire line: +91-22-2284 1520 Email: [email protected] |
Shefali Mehta/ Sabina Lama |
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