Deccan Shuttles to tap corporate firms to increase flight occupancy

Having launched the intra-state charter flight services in Gujarat on Monday, Deccan Charters Ltd is aiming at corporate customers from the state to keep this service afloat. The company on Monday launched a daily charter service under the name of Deccan Shuttles in Gujarat. The service connects key cities including Ahmedabad, Surat and Bhavnagar in the state.

"We are in talks with several corporate clients in the state for group bookings. We are exploring all the big names in the industrial circles. Routes like Surat-Bhavnagar and Ahmedabad-Kandla are expected to generate major traffic for the service. Also, individual fliers will use the service since the fares are priced fairly," said Sanjay Saihgal, VC- business development, Deccan Charters Ltd.

"We expect to connect the entire Gujarat by the end of this year. We will start Ahmedabad-Kandla service from August 27. Subsequently, by September 10, we plan to start service for Ahmedabad-Jamnagar. Also, we are planning to connect Rajkot and other smaller towns like Bhuj, Keshod and Junagadh," said Col Jayanth Poovaiah, director & CEO, Deccan Charters Ltd.

Poovaiah mentioned that it was after a detailed study that the company decided to launch an intrastate service in Gujarat. "The fares will be in the range of Rs 4000 to Rs 5500 per ticket for different locations," said Poovaiah.

The first flight of Deccan Shuttles took off from Ahmedabad to Surat on Monday morning with five passengers onboard. Two 9-seater Cessna Grand Caravan Aircraft are being used to cater to present 12 fleets a day. "The response to the first flight was very positive and we look forward for 80-90 per cent occupancy over a period of time," said Poovaiah.

After Deccan Shuttles which foray into Gujarat from with its daily charter services from Ahmedabad, Gurgaon-based airline Ventura AirConnect is set to fly intra-state in Gujarat soon.

AirConnect that launched its first intra-state services in Madhya Pradesh has begun initial process for approvals to fly in Gujarat. What's more, the company is also learnt to have evinced its interest of foraying in the state to the Gujarat government.