Kingfisher gets ready for party in the skies

NEW DELHI: Liquor baron Vijay Mallya seems to be aspiring to change the dynamics of air travel in India. With personal LCD TVs on every economy-class seat, in-flight entertainment through five channels and a Kingfisher radio channel, on-board auctions, and ramp models for air-hostesses, the budget air traveller seems to be headed for a party 30,000 feet in the air.Airline president and COO Alex Wilcox said the carrier will do away with normal airline industry practice of huge penalties as cancellation charges, even for advance purchase passengers. "We plan to charge a nominal Rs 250-500 cancellation fee and the passenger is free to shift booking to another Kingfisher flight," Wilcox said. While stating that the airline will not introduce Rs 500 fares on its network, Wilcox said its dynamic pricing model will ensure that vacant seats would be offered at higher discounts closer to the flight's departure time. The airline will take-off on its inaugural flight on May 7. The airline is also planning to float a public issue.