The decision of the airlines was a "well determined choice" that fits in perfectly with the airlines current portfolio of routes, he said at the airport soon after arriving by the inaugural Bangalore-Kochi flight. The airline also simultaneously launched services from Kochi to Delhi and Mumbai.
Asked if Kingfisher Airlines would revise fares in the light of the upward spiral in crude oil and aviation turbine fuel prices, Mallya said, "Any cost input will affect prices. But we are not in any state of panic. We will see what the others are doing and depending on what they do we will devise our own strategy."
Kingfisher is using new generation flights and technologies and so operating costs would be less, he said. Connectivity to Kochi was only "logical" for the airlines, which has introduced its sixth brand new airbus to the sector. Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode cities will also be considered in the future after consolidating the new route.
With the launch of the three new routes, the number of daily flights being offered by Kingfisher Airlines will go up to 44.
While the Kochi-Mumbai fares are available at Rs 3,599 (level 1), Rs 4,499 (level 2), Rs 5,499 (level 3), Rs 6,999 (level 4) and Rs 8,999 (level 5) plus Rs 221 taxes, tickets on the Kochi-Bangalore sector is priced at Rs 2,499, Rs 3,299 and Rs 3,999 respectively.
The Kochi-Delhi sector would cost Rs 7,333, Rs 9,999 and Rs 12,999 (three levels). Mallya said the airlines had introduced gourmet meals that have never been served onboard any airlines in the domestic skies.
Six menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner were created to be rotated on six days of the week in vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, besides special low sugar and low fat meats for diabetic and heart patients. There are also provisions to serve 'Jain meals' on board.