LAUNCH OF AIR CARNIVAL LOW-COST CARRIER

At a time when aviation players are going through turbulent times, Coimbatore-based Coimbatore Marine College group is venturing into the airline industry by launching a low-cost carrier (LCC) under the brand Air Carnival. The company has stated that the airline’s first flight would be ready for take-off in the near future. To begin with, the airline will focus only the Southern markets during the first one year. The airline would focus on short haul services and deploy ATR-72-500 aircraft for the same. The promoters are infusing around $12 million and plan to take three aircraft on lease. Manish Kumar Singh, Chief Executive Officer, Air Carnival, said that the airline is expecting to obtain the Air Operator’s Permit very soon after which the airline will commence operations. Initially, the airline plans to operate in the Coimbatore-Chennai-Madurai sectors. The airline will launch operations with one aircraft and two more will be added within the next twoand-a-half months. These 70-seater aircraft are more economical for short-haul services and they are proven one in India, said Singh. The airline is targeting around 80 to 85 per cent load factor and target customers include first-time travellers, businessmen, leisure travellers and others.