The Hindu Business Line : `Kingfisher First is not a shift in focus'

How often do you see the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of an airline sit at the back of the aircraft in economy class while his special guests try out a new product that the airline is about to launch in the front of the cabin?

This is exactly what happened on Friday in Mumbai when Mr Vijay Mallya, Chairman, Kingfisher Airlines, took on board a group of visiting journalists to experience Kingfisher First, the new premium service introduced by the airline.

As the Airbus A-320 aircraft circled over Mumbai, Mr Mallya spoke to Business Line. Excerpts from the interview:

Has there been a shift in focus within the company? In less than a year of launch the airline has moved from operating aircraft with a single class to operating flights with twin-class seating?

There is no question of change in the business model. Kingfisher is a super brand that has always stood for premium quality. Even when we launched the airline with a single class cabin it was like a business class product.

Similarly, Kingfisher First offers significant features, which are more than what is being offered by any other airline. The product has been designed for the future. By doing so we have raised the bar.

What prompted the launch of First?

Kingfisher believes in moving with the times. Our country and economy is growing. The propensity and willingness to spend is there.

When we launched the airline, we were clear that we were not targeting the Rs 400-Rs 500 category of passengers. There is a discerning class that is willing to pay for service.

The airline has also announced plans for inducting the smaller ATR aircraft. Will First class also be available on routes operated by these aircraft?

First class will not be available on the ATR routes. This is the global practice. Even in the US airlines like the American Eagle do not offer first on smaller flights operated by it.

Now with a two-class configuration on the aircraft, will the airline look at a three-class seating configuration on the newer aircraft that it plans to induct?

For a single aisle aircraft we will have a two-class configuration. But when the airline gets wide body aircraft, then we might go in for seating in three-class configuration.

In fact, we are also looking at the possibility of operating the wide body aircraft on domestic routes.