Competition from Gulf carriers has made Indian mkt tough: Air France-KLM

Paris : Competition from Gulf carriers has made the burgeoning Indian aviation market “tough” and Air France-KLM would have to upgrade its image to address this challenge, the airline’s global CEO has said.

“Of course, Indian market is an important one, (mainly due to an) enormous population and a growing economy but it is a difficult one,” Air France-KLM CEO Alexandre de Juniac told PTI in an interview here, stressing that competition was “tough” in India primarily due to the Gulf carriers. Flagging concerns about challenge posed by Gulf airlines, Juniac said the scenario needs to be addressed with the right tools. “We have to address that competition with the right tool …meaning the right aircraft, providing the right service and right products.

Lufthansa banks on Air India to check Gulf carriers

The impending entry of Air India into Star Alliance, the biggest grouping of airlines globally, has got Lufthansa excited as it may help the German carrier check the growing dominance of Gulf carriers in Indian skies.

Air India's entry into Star alliance, which was mentored by Lufthansa, is likely to be a reality by July. Wolfgang Will, director, South Asia for Lufthansa, recently in an interview told dna Air India's entry would benefit both airlines in terms of giving access to newer geographies. "They (gulf carriers) are growing and we respect that. But that does not mean we should be afraid because we feel that, you can sell your product well on the basis of good quality and reach," he said.