Air Deccan 2.0: Smaller And Wiser

The pioneer of low cost air travel in the country, Capt G R Gopinath, is on his second innings with Air Deccan 2.0. AJAY AWTANEY, who flew from Mumbai to Nashik recently, finds out how different the new Air Deccan is.

- Ajay Awtaney

Air Deccan, the original low-cost carrier of India, recently took wings again. Launched in 2003 for the first time, the airline has a totally different operating model in the new launch, but some things remain the same: Captain Gopinath’s ambition to connect India beyond the metros, and the iconic one rupee tickets which unleashed yield management in India.

Air Deccan 1.0

In keeping with the agenda, the first time around, Deccan started flying to airports such as Hubli on ATR 42 aircraft, an agenda which quickly got sidetracked in competing with the full-service carriers on trunk routes. Deccan quickly leased a couple of Airbus A320 aircraft and ordered 30 jets, along with 30 ATRs to keep connecting India.

On the trunk routes, the airline offered a fare that was usually about 30 percent lesser than full-service carriers, quickly gaining market share to become the third-biggest carrier in India in 2006. Deccan ensured it spread fast, operating 69 stations within the first five years.

One of the biggest contributions Deccan made to Indian aviation was yield management and a true low-cost airline. Being the first LCC, it priced tickets across the spectrum with cheaper prices if you booked long before the day of travel and more expensive pricing as you booked closer to the travel date.