Air Deccan (2003–2007)

Air Deccan used ATR aircraft for regional destinations.

Simplifly Deccan was founded as Air Deccan by G. R. Gopinath, a retired Indian Army captain who had gained experience in the aviation industry through his Deccan Aviation venture.^[3] Air Deccan became a wholly owned subsidiary of Deccan Aviation.^[4] The airline launched operations on 25 August 2003 with a flight from Bengaluru to Hubbali.^[5][6] At that time, its fleet consisted of two ATR 42-320 aircraft.^[7] In order to increase capacity on its trunk routes, Air Deccan purchased two Airbus A320-200s and leased five in 2004.^[8] In December of that year, the airline purchased an additional 30 A320s in a US$1.8 billion order.^[9] It ordered 30 ATR 72-500s in February 2005.^[10]

The airline underwent rapid growth, witnessing 30% growth in its passenger numbers in 2005–2006.^[11] In 2006 it was the third largest airline in India with a 19% market share, flying to 55 destinations with 30 aircraft.^[12] It placed an order for 30 more Airbus A320s in December 2006.^[13] The airline experienced 42% growth in passenger traffic in 2006–2007, becoming the nation's second largest carrier in 2007. As it grew, other low-cost carriers emerged in the Indian market; SpiceJet, GoAir, IndiGo and JetLite were all launched between 2005 and 2007.^[11]

Low-cost strategy

An Air Deccan Airbus A320 with NDTV advertising

Interior of a Simplifly Deccan Airbus A320

Air Deccan was the first low-cost carrier in India.^[7] Launched amid a booming Indian economy and a growing middle class, the airline targeted middle class travellers with its low fares and extensive route network.^[14] Tickets cost around 30% less than those of full-service airlines and cost about the same as or less than first class rail tickets.^[12] Air Deccan focused on providing air service to underserved airports across the country, where competition was low and the airline could acquire a loyal customer base.^[11] G. R. Gopinath claimed he wanted to make air travel accessible to every Indian.^[15]

It is not the elite that I consider as my customers. It is the humble cleaning women of my office, the auto-rickshaw driver and other such people that we would like to cater to. We want them to dream that they too can fly, and we want to make that dream happen.

— G. R. Gopinath^[16]

The airline operated a single cabin class, economy, allowing it to pack more seats into its aircraft. Following its no-frills approach, it charged for all food and beverages served on board.^[17] Payment was also required for cancellations,^[18] and no refunds or accommodations were provided to passengers who had missed their flights.^[15]

Air Deccan operated a point-to-point route network from seven base airports.^[15] It maintained low turnaround times and often outsourced work to local airport employees, especially at airports that saw few Air Deccan flights and did not require dedicated employees throughout the day. Air Deccan also gained advertising revenue by allowing advertisements both inside and outside its aircraft.^[19] For reservations, the airline utilised multiple channels. Passengers could book tickets through travel agents, on the Internet or through call centres.^[20] Each of these channels was connected to a fully web-enabled reservation system, making Air Deccan the first in India to use such a system.^[21] Air Deccan also avoided the cost of printing tickets; passengers or travel agents were required to do so off the Internet.^[20]

Simplifly Deccan (2007–2008)

In early May 2007, rumours began to circulate that Vijay Mallya, founder of Kingfisher Airlines, was interested in buying Air Deccan.^[22] Dispelled the rumours, claiming "[Mallya and I] are from different planets; he is from Venus, I am from Mars".^[23] Gopinath believed it was impossible to merge the airlines' separate business models; Kingfisher was a full-service carrier.^[24] Nevertheless, negotiations began at the end of the month, and Kingfisher parent United Breweries Group purchased a controlling 26% stake in Deccan Aviation on 31 May.^[25] Gopinath had changed his mind upon understanding that the two airlines would continue to function independently.^[24][26] In addition, he needed to raise funds;^[27] Air Deccan had lost ₹213 crore (US$27 million) during the quarter ending 31 March 2007.^[26] Air Deccan was rebranded Simplifly Deccan in October 2007 and adopted Kingfisher's livery and flight attendant uniform.^[28]

In December 2007, the airlines announced that they would merge into a single corporate entity while maintaining separate brands.^[29] The airline business of Kingfisher Airlines Ltd was merged into Deccan Aviation Ltd on 1 April 2008.^{[lower-alpha 1]} The charter business of Deccan Aviation Ltd was spun off into a separate company known as Deccan Charters Ltd.^[31] The combined company utilized Simplifly Deccan's operating permit, allowing it to launch international flights in 2008; Simplifly Deccan would complete five years of operation that year.^{[lower-alpha 2][33]} Mallya introduced major changes to the Simplifly Deccan brand in order to reduce losses and improve the airline's reputation, which had declined because of poor on-time performance. He also wanted to give the airline a premium touch while it remained a low-cost carrier. Simplifly Deccan ended the practice of outsourcing check-in staff, lengthened turnaround times and stopped selling tickets at promotional fares.^[34][35]

Simplifly Deccan and Kingfisher continued to operate domestically with their own airline codes. Unless the airlines consolidated under a single set of codes, the Ministry of Civil Aviation required Kingfisher to use Deccan's codes on international routes; Mallya, on the other hand, wanted to use Kingfisher's codes.^[36] On 29 August 2008, both airlines started using Kingfisher's codes. Simplifly Deccan also migrated to Kingfisher's reservation system and was renamed Kingfisher Red.^[36][37]

Livery

Simplifly Deccan adopted the livery of Kingfisher Airlines following the merger. The tail, engines and underside were painted red, and the kingfisher bird logo was applied to the tail. The former livery consisted of a fading blue cheatline and, on the tail, a blue circle with two yellow hands joined at the thumb like the wings of a bird.^[39] The airline's mascot, R. K. Laxman's The Common Man, was often incorporated into the old livery. It was chosen in May 2005 to emphasise Simplifly Deccan's goal of making air travel more accessible.^[40]