New IndPress

Bangalore, Jul 26: Low cost airliner Air Deccan has emerged as the second largest airline in the country, garnering a market share of 21.2 per cent in a short span of three years.

According to a company release here, Air Deccan, which started its operations in August 2003, had witnessed a rapid growth, having flown over 5.8 million passengers since inception.

This phenomenal growth had been attributed to the aggressive expansions undertaken by Air Deccan in the last three years of its operation. Air Deccan managing director Capt G R Gopinath said “Air Deccan, with its unconventional business model, brought the luxury of flying to the common man in India,

“Dynamic pricing, coupled with wide connectivity, rapid expansion of fleet and several other innovative steps, enabled us in becoming the second largest airline in the country in such a short period of time.”

Commenting on the growth, he said Air Deccan's growth clearly indicated an appetite the country had for low cost carriers. “If we were to go by the current rate of growth we are witnessing, it won't be long before we become the largest people carrier with the largest fleet offering the largest connectivity and the lowest fares in the country.”

Air Deccan had recently placed orders for 96 aircraft which would be delivered over a period of 96 months. Air Deccan currently operates services to 55 destinations across the country with 265 daily flights.