R.I.P. - The 'Udupi Hotel of Airline Industry'
Capt. G.R. Gopinath's dream of enabling every Indian to fly at least once, seems to over, at least for now.He once articulated his desire as, 'Our brand ambassador is not a model or a celebrity but an acclaimed figure nonetheless. He is R.K Laxman’s Common Man. His silence has voiced the thoughts and aspirations of an entire nation, and as our brand ambassador, he is telling us in his own silent way that the promise of a people’s airline is coming true. The Common Man embodies our simplicity, no-frill approach and the dream for a People’s Airline which makes him an integral part of our airline. His persona represents our airline’s vision of empowering every Indian to fly, regardless of his/ her economic status.'
ET reports, Air Deccan, the country’s first and the largest low-cost carrier, will soon lose its tag as a common man’s airline. Next month, UB Group, which acquired a 26% stake in the Bangalore-based airline in June, will push through a new identity and improved service standards.
The plan is to improve the flying experience and in turn command a higher price, thereby pulling the airline out of the red. According to UB Group chairman Vijay Mallya, Air Deccan would have a ‘premium’ look and feel, so that it changes into the best product in the low-cost airline space. The most visible change will be in the livery. Instead of its current blue and white brand colours with two yellow hands in its logo, the Air Deccan fleet will be painted in the bright red and white Kingfisher colours, down to the blue kingfisher on the tail. The Kingfisher and Air Deccan fleet will thus have an exactly identical livery, except for the name, insiders said.
Comments