Paramount Airways to go 'national'

Paramount Airways, which has already cornered 23 per cent of the market in six destinations in the southern part of the country within the first year of operations, would turn 'national' by the year 2009-10. Announcing this in connection with the launch of Thiruvananthapuram-Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram-Hyderabad daily flights, Managing Director M. Thiagarajan said the airline, which was concentrating on the destinations in South India, would soon take up expansion in West and North India. "We have already commenced talks with other airlines and hope to implement interline agreements by February or March next year," he said. On whether the airline had plans to operate flights abroad like other domestic carriers, he said the priority was to consolidate on the domestic ground and then to look beyond India. Mr. Thiagarajan said the airline had plans to acquire 15 aircraft within two years. With five aircraft, the airline was now operating 1,000 flights monthly and targeting to fly 35,000-40,000 guests in December. He said the airline was offering business class services at extremely affordable fares lower than the normal Economy Class fares of other airlines and First Class services at Business Class fares.

The Economy Class fares started at Rs.1,299 in the Chennai-Thiruvananthapuram and Hyderabad-Thiruvananthapuram sectors while the First Class fares started at Rs.8,899. The Managing Director said the airline had also to go in for the "congestion surcharge" that was being levied by some domestic carriers. The new generation Embraer 170/175 aircraft used by the airline was one of the advanced and modern jets to provide passenger comfort. Four cabin crew catered to the needs of a flight of 70 passengers. Stating that the airline was offering premium service at affordable rates, Mr. Thiagrajan said the focus was on passenger comfort and every seat was either a window or an aisle. Web check-in, select the seat and food during booking of tickets, valet service, special lounge access, and gourmet meals were some of the pampering services offered by Paramount, he said. With the introduction of daily flights to Chennai and Hyderabad, the airline was offering direct check-in for those going to Bangalore and Coimbatore. The airline had also plans to operate flights to Visakhapatnam via Hyderabad. Talks were on with some hotel groups to introduce tour packages, he added. Later, Kerala Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs M. Vijayakumar lighted the traditional lamp to inaugurate the flight operations.

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