Kingfisher airlines starts international operations to the UK

London: Kingfisher Airlines's inaugural flight between Bangalore and London touched down at Heathrow airport, marking the commencement of international operations of liquor baron Vijay Mallya's Kingfisher Airlines.

Vijay Mallya, Kingfisher Airlines chairman and CEO said, "I am delighted about Kingfisher's maiden international service between Bangalore and London's Heathrow airport. Our customers are our guests, not passengers with the warmest Indian hospitality offered."

Mallya said that international routes that would be serviced by Kingfisher have been carefully selected. He said that Kingfisher Airlines believed the Bangalore-London route to be under served, and the launch of a daily non-stop service would capitalise on this sector.

Civil Aviation minister Praful Patel fagged off the flight from Bangalore. He was aboard the aircraft along with Kingfisher chairman Mallya and other important persons.

Kingfisher Airline's service to Heathrow from Bangalore at 0840 hours, and touches down at London Heathrow's terminal four at 1450 hours local time. The return flight departs from Heathrow at 2205 hours, and arrives at Bangalore the next day at 1235 hours local time.

Kingfisher has deployed a brand new Airbus A330-200 on the sector, with a total seating capacity of 217, including 30 seats in first class, and 187 seats in premium class.

Airport company BAA Ltd owns and operates the Heathrow airport, one of eight that it runs in the UK. BAA chief executive Colin Matthews said in a statement that India's emergence as a force in world business underpins the need for direct air links between London Heathrow and key Indian cities such as Bangalore. He said that providing a comprehensive route network to key markets enables Heathrow Airport to maintain its status as ''the world's best connected hub airport."