He has been amply exposed to both full-service and low-cost formats of the airline industry, has first-hand knowledge of all the business functions, and has served in important markets in Southeast Asia, Europe and the Middle-East. Meet Vinod Kannan, the young CEO of full-service carrier Vistara, a 51:49 joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines. Elevated to the role in the New Year, Kannan, who is in his early forties and joined Singapore Airlines in 2001, throws light on his strategy for Vistara amid the recovery in passenger traffic in a post-Covid-19 world and the current geopolitical uncertainties. Edited excerpts:
Where is the place for a full-service carrier in the Indian market? Not just in terms of positioning, but also in terms of the slots since it’s just you and Air India today.
There used to be Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines in the past. But the fact remains [that] if you look at India as a market and the tremendous double-digit growth—putting aside the Covid-19 pandemic—that we’ve had over the last 10-15 years, [it] has led to an increase in disposable incomes. There are people who are getting a little bit richer, who have travelled the world and want to experience something along similar lines while flying within India. That proportion of people is willing to be value-conscious and pay a little bit more for a slightly more comfortable flight. That group of people is expanding and will continue to expand. Our association both with the Tatas and Singapore Airlines puts us in a good position because people know there is a certain standing and there’s a quality associated with that. But of course, the other side of the coin is that it also raises expectations. And maintaining them [expectations] and excelling every time is not easy.
This story is from the April 17, 2022 edition of Business Today.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 17, 2022 edition of Business Today.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The Dark Side Of Gold Loans
There Has Been A Sharp Rise In Gold Loans In Recent Years. But There Is A Seedier Side To This, As Is Evident From The Red Flag The RBI Raised Recently. Will The Regulator's Move Protect Customers?
All That Glitters
The price of gold has been rising unabated. It has soared to more than 73,000 per 10 gm in 2024 from *31,000 in early 2018. Is the rally sustainable or is this a bubble?
"Hire for attitude, not ability"
Thryve Digital is a player in the healthcare technology sector delivering next-generation solutions
Road Warrior
For Khalid Wani, Senior Director of Sales at Western Digital India, life is much more than just the corner office. Biking across the world is one way he derives meaning for his life
WIDENING THE POOL
THERE HAS BEEN A JUMP IN INDIVIDUALS INVESTING DIRECTLY IN THE STOCK MARKETS, BUT MUMBAI AND AHMEDABAD STILL ACCOUNT FOR THE LION'S SHARE. THERE DEFINITELY IS SCOPE FOR IMPROVEMENT IN TERMS OF PENETRATION LEVELS ACROSS THE COUNTRY
CRISIS IN THE CLOUDS
INDIAN AVIATION IS IN CRISIS. AIRLINES ARE GRAPPLING WITH FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS, CREW SHORTAGES, AND COMPLAINTS ABOUT POOR SERVICE, ARE BLEEDING DUE TO RISING COSTS WILL THE FASTEST-GROWING AVIATION MARKET RECOVER?
"India should start privatising public sector banks"
Arvind Panagariya, Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission, on growth, inequality, jobs, the banking sector, and more
"I LET MY WORK DO THE TALKING"
Megha Engineering & Infrastructures MD P.V. Krishna Reddy on being low profile, the infra opportunity and much more
"Core of insurance lies in long-term security"
Vibha Padalkar, MD & CEO of HDFC Life, on the insurance provider's performance, surrender charges, and future innovations
Distress in the Books
Bandhan Bank, the brainchild of Chandra Shekhar Ghosh, has made the journey from an MFI to a bank, but with many hurdles. Now with his resignation as MD & CEO, is the lender staring at more uncertainty?