On January 28, 2013 Captain G R Gopinath’s non-compete clause with Kingfisher Airlines expires leaving the Air Deccan founder free to launch his next venture. Gopinath has confirmed that he is close to finalising a partnership with a foreign partner to launch a new low-cost airline in India, who will take a 49% stake.
The Indian market is suffering from a drop in capacity, particularly as Kingfisher has now grounded its already scaled back operations. Fares have been increased by the surviving airlines leaving the market wide open for a new low-cost carrier.
Speaking to the Times of India, Gopinath said: "I decided to start an airline as I can't afford the airfares now. Some airlines have grown but they have done so by taking passengers of other players. The domestic air market is falling rapidly and this is unimaginable in a country like India. A new LCC that offers low fares with low costs is the only way to make flying affordable again and grow the market. I will do that.”
The new airline could take flight as early as the middle of next year.