KINGFISHER Owned by the India's biggest liquor baron, Mr Vijay Mallya, Kingfisher Airlines is one of the finest luxury

airlines of India. Based in Bangalore, the Kingfisher Airlines started operations on 9th may 2005, following the lease of 4 Airbus 320 aircraft. Recognized with its colourful logo of Kingfisher bird emblazoned on the tails of all the aircrafts, Kingfisher Airlines main vision is to deliver safe, value-based and enjoyable travel experience to all its guest based on its core values of 'safety', 'service', 'happiness', 'accountability' and 'teamwork'. Kingfisher increased its losses to Rs 420 crore from Rs 413 crore during third quarter last year.

AIR INDIA Air India has a worldwide network of passenger and cargo service. Indias national flag carrier, Air India is one of the two state owned airlines operating flights through 95 destinations around the world. Air India has a well maintained fleet of 48 aircrafts covering short, medium and long haul routes. Their list of air carriers include 19 Airbus A310s, 13 Boeing 737-800s, 2 Boeing 747-300M Combi, 8 Boeing 747-400s, 1 Boeing 747-400M Combi, Boeing 767-300, Boeing 777-200 and 3 Boeing 777-200ER. Boeing 747-300 and Boeing 767-300 would be replaced with Boeing 777-300ER that will operate on routes to Europe and the U.S. Plans to raise capital by Rs.1000Cr, Requested Capital Infusion by Rs.5000Cr from the Cabinet for fleet expansion. After the merger of Indian Airlines & Air India the national carrier is running out in losses.

JET AIRWAYS Jet Airways, which commenced operations on May 5, 1993 has, within a short span of 14 years, established its position as a market leader. The airline has had the distinction of being repeatedly adjudged India's 'Best Domestic Airline' and has won several national and international awards. Jet Airways post its first profit in three quarters at Rs 106 crore for the third quarter ended December 31, against a loss of Rs 214 crore during the same period last year. On the international routes, we were able to achieve seat factor of over 80 per cent for the past few months and we are experiencing a consistent growth in operating margins. We expect to see premium demand revival in the next few quarters, said a statement from the airline. Our Jet Airways Connect no-frills, all-economy, class service has helped us to improve seat factors and overall revenues in the domestic business and we are now in full-fledged operations as per our original plan, the release added.

With a rapid transformation, Indian aviation industry is one of the fastest growing aviation industries in the world. Before the Indian aviation industry was solely owned by government, but now scenario has changed as the private players dominate the industry. The open sky policy which was introduced in 1990 opened the doors for private players to rope in and enter the aviation business. By 1995, these private airlines contributed up to ten per cent of the air traffic in India. Today the domestic airlines in India are totally dominated by private players, most of them being low cost carriers. Though the Low cost carriers are enjoying the monopoly still there are many challenges which are faced in the Indian aviation industry today which include1) Shortage of skilled labor 2) High costs of aviation turbine fuel 3) Increasing labor costs Besides the Low cost carriers other carriers are facing problems as well because the number of fliers traveling by business class is constantly reducing. Also there are inflation fears and it is taking longer for these airline operators to reach break even. Due to these reasons many airlines are constantly revising their airfare and working upon price hike due to constant increase in fuel prices. Every day passing by there are new mergers and acquisitions taking place in the aviation industry and investors with less knowledge are making inconsistent decisions. To survive in the market, the domestic airlines in India need to revise their model of operations and curb down on the advertising expenses and travel agent commissions. There are many opportunities as the Indian middle class is growing smarter and traveling more then ever before. Thus if the players revise upon their models, domestic airlines in India surely has a very bright future.