Originally at http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1570765,00020016.htm

After becoming the largest scheduled network within the country, Air Deccan is gearing spread its wings abroad with an eye of SAARC and Persian Gulf countries.

“We will be flying to Gulf and neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka after we meet all the requirements laid down by the Government in its civil aviation policy,” Chairman and Managing Director of Air Deccan Captain GR Gopinath said in Srinagar during an inaugural flight.

Air Deccan is a unit of Deccan Aviation, the country’s largest private heli-charter company, and was formed in 1995. The helicopter services of the company made its mark in the aviation scene of the country for providing speedy and reliable heli-services for company charters, tourism, medical evacuation, off-shore logistics and a host of other services.

“Our mission is to keep our fares low and keep lowering them with time and to achieve this, we have eliminated standard airline frills like on-board catering, business lounges and upper class seats,” Gopinath said adding “in fact, we take pride in calling ourselves the Udipi Hotel of the airline industry.”

He said the same standards would be maintained for its international destinations. “After all, we have to see who travels to destinations like Gulf and other neighbouring countries. They also belong to average middle class or poor class who cannot afford the air fare of other airlines,” says Gopinath.