Deccan to serve up hot meals on board

New Delhi: Trust UB Group chairman Vijay Mallya to swim against the tide. At a time when airlines are cutting corners to save every penny, low-cost airline Deccan (formerly Air Deccan) plans to serve meals on board at a subsidised rate of Rs 40, less than what you may pay at a downtown restaurant!
Till it was acquired by Kingfisher, India’s first budget carrier of India did not even provide free water to its customers. In line with its no-frills strategy, Air Deccan was carrying only dry snacks (sandwich, samosas) to ensure quick aircraft turnaround.
The latest move contrasts sharply with aggressive cost-cutting by several airlines, which have even stopped giving candies that cost next to nothing. The move is part of Mr Mallya’s plan to convert Deccan into a value carrier.
From August, Deccan passengers can enjoy complete meals, breakfast, lunch or dinner on board, with desserts and hot coffee. They can also check in at Kingfisher’s airport counters and use its AC buses, instead of Deccan’s non-AC buses, to transit between the terminal and aircraft. In several ways, Deccan will no longer be the country cousin of Kingfisher.
Due to rising jet fuel prices, airlines have been cutting costs in every possible way, including replacement of steel cutlery with plastic stuff and reduction of water meant for the lavatory tank so that fuel consumption could be reduced. Many airlines have also been reducing capacity and downsizing manpower to contain losses.
17/07/08 Nirbhay Kumar/Economic Times

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Categories: Deccan Jul 2008