Kingfisher launches UAE – India service

A major Indian airline has taken its first steps into the UAE market by launching its inaugural service between Dubai and Bangalore.

Kingfisher Airlines made the announcement to a packed media conference on Thursday morning at a hotel in Dubai.

Tentative return ticket pricing for the flights is Dh1,580 on peak weekend services and Dh1,250 for off-peak weekdays.

Initially the airline will fly only one flight, carrying 174 passengers, in and out of Dubai a day but airline bosses hope to increase the frequency of services in future.

Siva Ramachandran, vice-president of global sales at Kingfisher Airlines, said he was “delighted'' to announce the new service.

He said: “Dubai is the airline's fourth international destination after London, Colombo, and Dhaka.''

Flights between Dubai and Bangalore will be with the Airbus A320 and all passengers will be in what the airline calls “premium economy class''.

Ramachandran said: “What is unique to Kingfisher Airlines is that it has one of the largest networks in India connecting over 50 cities from Bangalore.

“Bangalore is a connection hub for India and will allow customers the opportunity to visit almost any major city in India.

“Our prices will constantly be under review to make sure we remain as competitive as possible.''

He said in future the airline could expand to Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Nepal.

Passengers will be allowed to take on 40kg of luggage and 10kg of hand luggage in both directions when flying with the airline.

The flights will take off from Terminal 1 at Dubai International Airport at 10.10pm each day and arrive at their destination at 3.45am the following day.

From the other direction flights leave Bangalore at 6.15pm and reach Dubai at 8.55pm.

Richard Talian, vice-president of Strategy for Dubai Airports, welcomed the new flights.

He said: “While Dubai is the business and leisure capital of the region, Bangalore is the heart of India's multi-billion dollar IT sector.

“And whereas Dubai Airports is considered one of the world's leading aviation hubs, Kingfisher Airlines is one of India's fastest growing international carriers.''

The airline is now in direct competition with Emirates Airlines, who also offer a similar service to Bangalore.

India is a huge market for Emirates, who currently have 185 fights to 10 cities in the country running each week.