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{{Short description|Defunct Indian airline}}
{{Distinguish|Simplifly}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox airline
| airline = Simplifly Deccan
| image =
| logo = Simplifly Deccan logo.png
| IATA = DN<ref name="chavprofile">{{cite web | url=http://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/airline/DN | title=Air Deccan | work=ch-aviation | access-date=23 January 2017 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202011855/http://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/airline/DN | archive-date=2 February 2017 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>
| ICAO = DKN<ref name="chavprofile" />
| callsign = DECCAN<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/CHG3%207340.1Z.pdf#page=13 | title=Change 3 of Order 7340.1Z, Contractions | work=[[Federal Aviation Administration]] | date=15 March 2007 | access-date=23 January 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170123225914/https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/CHG3%207340.1Z.pdf | archive-date=23 January 2017}}</ref>
| aoc =
| hubs =
| founded =
| commenced = 25 August 2003
| ceased = 29 August 2008
| bases = {{bulleted list|
| Relaunched =
|[[Kempegowda International Airport|Bangalore]]
|[[Indira Gandhi International Airport|Delhi]]
|[[Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport|Kolkata]]
|[[Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport|Mumbai]]
}}
| destinations = 52
| focus_cities =
| frequent_flyer =
| fleet_size = 40 (in September 2007)
| key_people = [[G. R. Gopinath]], founder
| headquarters = [[Bengaluru]], Karnataka, India
| parent = [[United Breweries Group]]
| num_employees =

}}
'''Simplifly Deccan''', formerly known as '''Air Deccan''', was the first Indian [[low-cost carrier]]. Headquartered in [[Bengaluru]], it operated domestic flights from seven base airports using a fleet of [[Airbus A320]], [[ATR 42]] and [[ATR 72]] aircraft. The airline appealed to [[middle class]] travellers with low fares and a large route network. It employed several innovative methods to ensure the profitability of its business model. Nevertheless, Simplifly Deccan merged with [[Kingfisher Airlines]] in April 2008. Kingfisher replaced the Deccan brand with [[Kingfisher Red]] in August 2008.

==History==
===Air Deccan (2003–2007)===
[[File:ATR ATR-72-500 (ATR-72-212A), Air Deccan AN1157334.jpg|thumb|200px|Air Deccan used [[ATR (aircraft manufacturer)|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.{{sfn|Kazmi|2008|p=535}} Air Deccan became a wholly owned subsidiary of Deccan Aviation.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2003-04-17/news/27542519_1_air-deccan-captain-g-r-gopinath-foreign-pilots | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822235519/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2003-04-17/news/27542519_1_air-deccan-captain-g-r-gopinath-foreign-pilots | url-status=dead | archive-date=22 August 2016 | title=Air Deccan to take off in Aug with ATR-42s | work=[[The Economic Times]] | date=17 April 2003 | access-date=26 July 2016 | author=Rao, Girish}}</ref> The airline launched operations on 25 August 2003 with a flight from [[Bengaluru]] to [[Hubbali]].<ref>{{cite news |date=17 August 2003 |title=Air Deccan to launch country's first low-cost flight on Aug 25 |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2003-08-17/news/27566641_1_air-deccan-capt-g-r-gopinath-deccan-aviation-private-limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818003430/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2003-08-17/news/27566641_1_air-deccan-capt-g-r-gopinath-deccan-aviation-private-limited |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 August 2016 |work=[[The Economic Times]] |access-date=18 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=25 August 2003 |title=Air Deccan services to be launched today |url=http://www.thehindu.com/2003/08/25/stories/2003082501250400.htm |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=18 June 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220230100/http://www.thehindu.com/2003/08/25/stories/2003082501250400.htm |archive-date=20 December 2016 }}</ref> At that time, its fleet consisted of two [[ATR 42-320]] aircraft.{{sfn|Kazmi|2008|p=531}} In order to increase capacity on its trunk routes, Air Deccan purchased two [[Airbus A320-200]]s and leased five in 2004.<ref>{{cite news |date=26 February 2004 |title=Airbus lands $130 million Deccan sale |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/airbus-lands-130-million-deccan-sale-179899/ |work=[[Flightglobal]] |access-date=18 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813104814/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/airbus-lands-130-million-deccan-sale-179899/ |archive-date=13 August 2016 }}</ref> In December of that year, the airline purchased an additional 30 A320s in a US$1.8 billion order.<ref>{{cite news |date=21 December 2004 |title=Air Deccan to acquire 30 aircraft from Airbus |url=http://www.thehindu.com/2004/12/22/stories/2004122203911400.htm |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=18 June 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321152411/http://www.thehindu.com/2004/12/22/stories/2004122203911400.htm |archive-date=21 March 2018 }}</ref> It ordered 30 [[ATR 72-500]]s in February 2005.<ref>{{cite news |date=16 June 2005 |title=Air Deccan gets its first new aircraft |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2005-06-16/news/27505407_1_atr-ceo-filippo-bagnato-transport-regional-atr-fleet |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818014955/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2005-06-16/news/27505407_1_atr-ceo-filippo-bagnato-transport-regional-atr-fleet |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 August 2016 |work=[[The Economic Times]] |access-date=18 June 2016}}</ref>

The airline underwent rapid growth, witnessing 30% growth in its passenger numbers in 2005–2006.{{sfn|Gross|Lück|2016}} In 2006 it was the third largest airline in India with a 19% market share, flying to 55 destinations with 30 aircraft.{{sfn|Sampler|2006|p=1}} It placed an order for 30 more Airbus A320s in December 2006.<ref>{{cite press release |date=3 January 2006 |title=Air Deccan orders 30 more Airbus A320s |url=http://www.airbus.com/presscentre/pressreleases/press-release-detail/detail/air-deccan-orders-30-more-airbus-a320s/ |work=[[Airbus]] |access-date=18 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810093856/http://www.airbus.com/presscentre/pressreleases/press-release-detail/detail/air-deccan-orders-30-more-airbus-a320s/ |archive-date=10 August 2016 }}</ref> 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 carrier]]s emerged in the Indian market; [[SpiceJet]], [[GoAir]], [[IndiGo]] and [[JetLite]] were all launched between 2005 and 2007.{{sfn|Gross|Lück|2016}}

====Low-cost strategy====
[[File:VT-ADZ Airbus A320 Air Deccan in "NDTV Colours" (8435243141).jpg|thumb|200px|An Air Deccan Airbus A320 with [[NDTV]] advertising]]
[[File:Interior of Air Deccan Airbus A320.JPG|thumb|200px|Interior of a Simplifly Deccan Airbus A320]]
Air Deccan was the first low-cost carrier in India.{{sfn|Kazmi|2008|p=531}} 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.{{sfn|Swaminathan|2009|p=144}} Tickets cost around 30% less than those of full-service airlines and cost about the same as or less than first class rail tickets.{{sfn|Sampler|2006|p=1}} 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.{{sfn|Gross|Lück|2016}} G. R. Gopinath claimed he wanted to make air travel accessible to every Indian.{{sfn|Mahadevan|2007|p=26}}

{{Blockquote |quote=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. |source=G. R. Gopinath{{sfn|Kazmi|2008|p=539}}}}

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.{{sfn|Kazmi|2008|pp=539–540}} Payment was also required for cancellations,{{sfn|Sampler|2006|p=9}} and no refunds or accommodations were provided to passengers who had missed their flights.{{sfn|Mahadevan|2007|p=26}}

Air Deccan operated a [[point-to-point transit|point-to-point]] route network from seven base airports.{{sfn|Mahadevan|2007|p=26}} 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.{{sfn|Kazmi|2008|p=540}} For reservations, the airline utilised multiple channels. Passengers could book tickets through travel agents, on the Internet or through call centres.{{sfn|Sampler|2006|pp=10–11}} 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.<ref>{{cite news |date=17 March 2007 |title=Air Deccan migrates to Radixx Reservation System |url=http://www.oneindia.com/2007/02/28/air-deccan-migrates-to-radixx-reservation-system-1174136395.html |work=[[Oneindia]] |access-date=18 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810005946/http://www.oneindia.com/2007/02/28/air-deccan-migrates-to-radixx-reservation-system-1174136395.html |archive-date=10 August 2016 }}</ref> Air Deccan also avoided the cost of printing tickets; passengers or travel agents were required to do so off the Internet.{{sfn|Sampler|2006|pp=10–11}}

===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.<ref>{{cite news |date=4 May 2007 |title=Air Deccan denies bid by rival Kingfisher |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report-air-deccan-denies-bid-by-rival-kingfisher-1094733 |work=[[Daily News and Analysis]] |access-date=18 June 2016}}</ref> Gopinath dispelled the rumours, claiming {{nowrap|"[Mallya}} and I] are from different planets; he is from Venus, I am from Mars".<ref>{{cite news |date=1 June 2007 |title=Biz is art of the possible: Gopinath |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2007-06-01/news/28455825_1_vijay-mallya-air-deccan-consumer-models-and-consumer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818004709/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2007-06-01/news/28455825_1_vijay-mallya-air-deccan-consumer-models-and-consumer |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 August 2016 |work=[[The Economic Times]] |access-date=18 June 2016}}</ref> He believed it was impossible to merge the airlines' separate business models as Kingfisher was a full-service carrier.<ref name="indep">{{cite news |last1=Shukla |first1=Tarun |last2=Raghu |first2=K. |date=1 June 2007 |title=Kingfisher deal to buy 26% of Deccan spells consolidation |url=http://www.livemint.com/Companies/bO5MvDgLwjFKbYPwwM4vuI/Kingfisher-deal-to-buy-26-of-Deccan-spells-consolidation.html |work=[[Mint (newspaper)|Livemint]] |access-date=18 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160621143024/http://www.livemint.com/Companies/bO5MvDgLwjFKbYPwwM4vuI/Kingfisher-deal-to-buy-26-of-Deccan-spells-consolidation.html |archive-date=21 June 2016 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |date=1 June 2007 |title=Kingfisher buys control of Air Deccan |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Kingfisher-buys-control-of-Air-Deccan/articleshow/2090124.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=18 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329140154/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Kingfisher-buys-control-of-Air-Deccan/articleshow/2090124.cms |archive-date=29 March 2016 }}</ref> Gopinath had changed his mind upon understanding that the two airlines would continue to function independently.<ref name="indep" /><ref name="hindubl">{{cite news |date=1 June 2007 |title=Vijay Mallya lands 26% stake in Deccan Aviation |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/vijay-mallya-lands-26-stake-in-deccan-aviation/article1659803.ece |work=[[The Hindu Business Line]] |access-date=18 June 2016}}</ref> In addition, he needed to raise funds;<ref name="moneycontrol">{{cite news |date=20 December 2007 |title=Deccan Aviation to merge with Kingfisher Airlines |url=http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/deccan-aviation-to-mergekingfisher-airlines_318100.html |work=[[Moneycontrol.com]] |access-date=18 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808190943/http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/deccan-aviation-to-mergekingfisher-airlines_318100.html |archive-date=8 August 2016 }}</ref> Air Deccan had lost {{INRConvert|213|c}} during the quarter ending 31 March 2007.<ref name="hindubl" /> Air Deccan was rebranded ''Simplifly Deccan'' in October 2007 and adopted Kingfisher's livery and flight attendant uniform.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kapoor |first=Chetan |title=Simplifly Deccan from October 20 |url=http://archivetravel.financialexpress.com/200710/aviationworld04.shtml |work=[[The Financial Express (India)|The Financial Express]] |access-date=18 June 2016}}</ref>

In December 2007, the airlines announced that they would merge into a single corporate entity while maintaining separate brands.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Somasundaram |first1=Narayanan |last2=Mukherjee |first2=Arpan |date=20 December 2007 |title=Deccan-Kingfisher combine to look at share sale |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSBOM17557620071220 |work=[[Reuters]] |access-date=18 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809033438/http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSBOM17557620071220 |archive-date=9 August 2016 }}</ref> The airline business of Kingfisher Airlines Ltd was merged into Deccan Aviation Ltd on 1 April 2008.{{efn|Kingfisher Airlines Ltd also operated a training and ground services business, which did not merge with Deccan Aviation Ltd.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2008-02-01/news/27693051_1_kingfisher-airlines-swap-ratio-deccan-aviation | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822225343/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2008-02-01/news/27693051_1_kingfisher-airlines-swap-ratio-deccan-aviation | url-status=dead | archive-date=22 August 2016 | title=Kingfisher, Air Deccan boards okay swap ratio | work=[[The Economic Times]] | date=1 February 2008 | access-date=26 July 2016}}</ref>}} The charter business of Deccan Aviation Ltd was spun off into a separate company known as [[Deccan Charters|Deccan Charters Ltd]].<ref>{{cite report |date=15 October 2008 |title=Kingfisher Annual Report 2007–08 |url=http://theubgroup.com/PDF/Fly%20Kingfisher/annual%20report/Kingfisher%20Annual%20Report'0708.pdf |publisher=[[United Breweries Group]] |page=2 |access-date=26 July 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140123080600/http://theubgroup.com/PDF/Fly%20Kingfisher/annual%20report/Kingfisher%20Annual%20Report%270708.pdf |archive-date=23 January 2014 }}</ref> The combined company utilized Simplifly Deccan's [[air operator's certificate|operating permit]], allowing it to launch international flights in 2008; Simplifly Deccan would complete five years of operation that year.{{efn|At the time, Indian civil aviation policy required an airline to complete five years of operation and maintain a fleet of at least 20 aircraft before beginning international routes.<ref>{{cite news |date=17 June 2016 |title=Govt scraps 5/20 rule for carriers |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/552558/govt-scraps-520-rule-carriers.html |work=[[Deccan Herald]] |access-date=18 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618163021/http://www.deccanherald.com/content/552558/govt-scraps-520-rule-carriers.html |archive-date=18 June 2016 }}</ref>}}<ref>{{cite news |last=Balasubramanyam |first=K. R. |date=27 January 2008 |title=Can this marriage work? |url=http://www.businesstoday.in/magazine/features/can-this-marriage-work/story/1296.html |work=[[Business Today (business magazine)|Business Today]] |access-date=18 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160622014752/http://www.businesstoday.in/magazine/features/can-this-marriage-work/story/1296.html |archive-date=22 June 2016 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |date=4 September 2007 |title=Mallya touch: Deccan to fly red & white all the way |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/mallya-touch-deccan-to-fly-red-white-all-the-way/articleshow/2335918.cms |work=[[The Economic Times]] |access-date=18 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827020232/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/mallya-touch-deccan-to-fly-red-white-all-the-way/articleshow/2335918.cms |archive-date=27 August 2016 }}</ref>{{sfn|Giriprakash|2014}}

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 (India)|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.<ref name="callsign">{{cite news |last1=Kumar |first1=Nirbhay |last2=Chauhan |first2=Chanchal |date=27 August 2008 |title=Call-sign hitch may delay Kingfisher's global dream |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2008-08-27/news/27724816_1_kingfisher-brand-routes-ub-group |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817225004/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2008-08-27/news/27724816_1_kingfisher-brand-routes-ub-group |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 August 2016 |work=[[The Economic Times]] |access-date=18 June 2016}}</ref> 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]]''.<ref name="callsign" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Singhal |first=Manisha |date=29 August 2008 |title=Deccan to be rebranded Kingfisher Red |url=http://www.rediff.com/money/2008/aug/29kf.htm |work=[[Rediff.com]] |access-date=18 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219104323/http://www.rediff.com/money/2008/aug/29kf.htm |archive-date=19 December 2014 }}</ref>

==Corporate affairs and identity==
[[File:Air deccan.png|thumb|200px|Former logo]]
Through the merger with Kingfisher Airlines, Simplifly Deccan became a subsidiary of United Breweries Group.<ref name="moneycontrol" /> Headquarters were located on [[Cunningham Road, Bangalore|Cunningham Road]] in Bengaluru, the capital of [[Karnataka]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Verma |first=Varuna |date=16 September 2007 |title=In four years we have become bigger than Indian Airlines. We have created a revolution' |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070916/asp/7days/story_8322570.asp |work=[[The Telegraph (Calcutta)|The Telegraph]] |location=Kolkata |access-date=18 June 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812101107/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070916/asp/7days/story_8322570.asp |archive-date=12 August 2016 }}</ref>

===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 [[Aircraft livery#Cheatline|cheatline]] and, on the tail, a blue circle with two yellow hands joined at the thumb like the wings of a bird.<ref>
{{cite news |last=Sinha |first=Saurabh |date=15 August 2007 |title=Kingfisher, Air Deccan push for foreign ticket |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2007-08-15/news/28473541_1_foreign-airlines-air-deccan-indian-airlines |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817230900/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2007-08-15/news/28473541_1_foreign-airlines-air-deccan-indian-airlines |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 August 2016 |work=[[The Economic Times]] |access-date=18 June 2016}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |date=5 May 2005 |title=Air Deccan unveils new mascot |url=http://www.thehindu.com/2005/05/05/stories/2005050505141900.htm |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=18 June 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321152411/http://www.thehindu.com/2005/05/05/stories/2005050505141900.htm |archive-date=21 March 2018 }}</ref>

==Destinations==
At the time it ceased operations, Simplifly Deccan flew to 52 destinations across India. It had bases at seven Indian cities: [[Ahmedabad]], [[Bengaluru]], [[Chennai]], [[Delhi]], [[Hyderabad]], [[Kolkata]], [[Mumbai]].<ref>{{cite news |date=2 September 2006 |title=Air Deccan to open Ahmedabad's first ever aircraft base |url=http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/air-deccan-to-open-ahmedabad%EF%BF%BDs-first-ever-aircraft-base_237977.html |work=[[Moneycontrol.com]] |access-date=18 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808195943/http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/air-deccan-to-open-ahmedabad%EF%BF%BDs-first-ever-aircraft-base_237977.html |archive-date=8 August 2016 }}</ref> The airline opened a base at [[Thiruvananthapuram]] in April 2006;<ref>{{cite news |date=25 March 2006 |title=Thiruvananthapuram to be seventh base for Air Deccan |url=http://www.oneindia.com/2006/03/25/thiruvananthapuram-to-be-seventh-base-for-air-deccan-1143286531.html |work=[[Oneindia]] |access-date=18 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810033215/http://www.oneindia.com/2006/03/25/thiruvananthapuram-to-be-seventh-base-for-air-deccan-1143286531.html |archive-date=10 August 2016 }}</ref> however, it ended flights to the airport in early 2008.{{efn|Thiruvananthapuram was listed in Simplifly Deccan's flight schedule effective 28 October 2007 to 29 March 2008,<ref>{{cite web |title=Schedules |url=http://www.airdeccan.net/data/flightinfo/all.html |work=Simplifly Deccan |access-date=15 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071117015120/http://www.airdeccan.net/data/flightinfo/all.html |archive-date=17 November 2007 |url-status=usurped}}</ref> but it was not listed in the final schedule effective 30 March to 25 October 2008.<ref>{{cite web |title=Summer Schedules from 30th March 2008 to 25th October 2008 |url=http://www.airdeccan.net/data/flightinfo/all.html |work=Simplifly Deccan |access-date=14 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080826214758/http://www.airdeccan.net/data/flightinfo/all.html |archive-date=26 August 2008 |url-status=usurped}}</ref>}}

==Fleet==
[[File:Airbus A320-232, Air Deccan JP6373125.jpg|thumb|A Simplifly Deccan Airbus A320 taxiing at the Mumbai airport in March 2008]]
Simplifly Deccan operated a fleet of [[ATR 42]], [[ATR 72]] and [[Airbus A320]] aircraft. For routes of higher demand between major cities, Simplifly Deccan used its larger Airbus A320s.{{sfn|Sampler|2006|p=8}}

Simplifly Deccan was operating the following aircraft in September 2007:<ref>{{cite report |last=Krishnan |first=Rishikesha |date=2008 |title=The Indian Airline Industry in 2008 |url=http://www.iimb.ernet.in/~rishi/Indian%20Airline%20Industry%20in%202008%20v2.0.pdf |publisher=[[Indian Institute of Management Bangalore]] |page=6 |access-date=18 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114012711/http://www.iimb.ernet.in/~rishi/Indian%20Airline%20Industry%20in%202008%20v2.0.pdf |archive-date=14 November 2014 }}</ref>{{sfn|Balasubramanian|2007|p=240}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; margin:0.5em auto"
|+ Simplifly Deccan fleet
|-
! Aircraft
! In service
! Passengers<br/>{{small|(Economy)}}
! Notes
|-
|[[Airbus A320]]||22||180||align=center|{{mdash}}
|-
|[[ATR 42]]||10||48||align=center|{{mdash}}
|-
|[[ATR 72]]||8||72||align=center|{{mdash}}
|-
!Total
!40
!colspan=2|
|}

==Incidents==
In 2003, on the planned launch flight from Begumpet airport, Hyderabad to Vijayawada, having onboard guests including Pratap Reddy, M Venkaiah Naidu, Pankaj Abani and other political leaders, one of the engines caught fire while taxiing for takeoff and the flight was aborted. All passengers survived the incident.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 October 2003|title=India's first no-frills airline Air Deccan maiden flight catches fire |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/indiascope/story/20031013-no-frills-airline-air-deccan-maiden-flight-catches-fire-791831-2003-10-13 |access-date=16 August 2022 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>

On 11 March 2006, Air Deccan Flight 108 made a hard landing and skidded off runway 27 at [[HAL Bangalore Airport|HAL Airport]] in Bengaluru. The aircraft was an [[ATR 72-500]] [[aircraft registration|registered]] VT-DKC flying between [[Coimbatore]] and [[Bengaluru]].<ref name="asn">{{cite web |date=18 June 2016 |title=ASN Aircraft accident ATR-72-212A (ATR-72-500) VT-DKC Bangalore-Hindustan Airport (BLR) |url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20060311-0 |work=[[Aviation Safety Network]] |access-date=18 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810000317/https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20060311-0 |archive-date=10 August 2016 }}</ref> Five passengers received minor injuries, and the aircraft suffered major damage to its undercarriage.<ref>{{cite news |date=11 March 2006 |title=Air Deccan aircraft skids off runway |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-logistics/air-deccan-aircraft-skids-off-runway/article1727635.ece |work=[[The Hindu Business Line]] |access-date=18 June 2016}}</ref> The airport was closed for almost five hours following the incident.<ref>{{cite news |date=12 March 2006 |title=Landing accident sets off weekend chaos at Bangalore airport |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/landing-accident-sets-off-weekend-chaos-at-bangalore-airport/article3163082.ece |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=18 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220230343/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/landing-accident-sets-off-weekend-chaos-at-bangalore-airport/article3163082.ece |archive-date=20 December 2016 }}</ref> In the end, the aircraft was sold to be used for spares.<ref name="asn" />

==Legal issues==
''Accessibility in Transport''

Significant legal challenges have shaped the accessibility of air travel in India. In 2006, activists [[Subrata Pramanick]] and Rajiv Ranjan filed a landmark complaint (Case No. 3197/2006) against Deccan Aviation ([[Air Deccan]]) before the Court of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities. The case challenged the airline's practice of charging a "wheelchair tax" of ₹500 for mobility assistance. This litigation, cited in the company's 2006 [[SEBI]] prospectus,<ref name="DeccanProspectus2006">{{cite web|title=Prospectus of Deccan Aviation Limited |url=https://www.sebi.gov.in/sebi_data/attachdocs/1292238806451.pdf|publisher=Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) |date=May 31, 2006 |page=144 |access-date=Mar 26, 2026}}</ref> contributed to the eventual mandate that all Indian carriers provide wheelchair assistance to passengers with disabilities free of charge under [[Civil Aviation]] Requirements (CAR).

== In popular culture ==
''[[Soorarai Pottru]]'', a [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language film starring [[Suriya]], directed by [[Sudha Kongara]] was inspired by the initial events of Air Deccan and its founder [[G. R. Gopinath|Cpt. G. R. Gopinath]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Janani K.|date=13 November 2020|title=Captain GR Gopinath praises Soorarai Pottru, says it's heavily dramatised, but captures true essence|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/captain-gr-gopinath-praises-soorarai-pottru-says-it-s-heavily-dramatised-but-captures-true-essence-1740648-2020-11-13|access-date=13 November 2020|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref> The film was also remade in Hindi as [[Sarfira]] by the same director, starring [[Akshay Kumar]] and [[Radhika Madan]] in the lead role.

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite book |last=Balasubramanian |first=S. |date=2007 |title=The Art of Business Leadership: Indian Experiences |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n5-HAwAAQBAJ|publisher=[[SAGE Publications]] |location=Delhi |isbn=9788178299747 }}
* {{cite book |last=Giriprakash |first=K. |date=2014 |title=The Vijay Mallya Story |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dSEoAwAAQBAJ|publisher=[[Penguin Books]] |page= |isbn=9789351186229}}
* {{cite book |editor-last1=Gross |editor-first1=Sven |editor-last2=Lück |editor-first2=Michael |date=2016 |title=The Low Cost Carrier Worldwide |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p-CXCwAAQBAJ|publisher=[[Routledge]] |pages= |isbn=9781317025054 }}
* {{cite book |last=Kazmi |first=Azhar |date=2008 |title=Strategic Management and Business Policy |edition=3rd |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J8YGhhK5keUC|publisher=[[Tata McGraw-Hill]] |location=Delhi |isbn=9780070263628 }}
* {{cite book |last=Mahadevan |first=B |date=2007 |title=Operation Management: Theory and Practice |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dVDfKz48MlEC|location=Delhi |publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley|Dorling Kindersley (India)]] |isbn=9788177585643 }}
* {{cite report |last=Sampler |first=Jeffrey |date=2006 |title=Air Deccan |url=https://dspace.mit.edu/bitstream/handle/1721.1/39807/4657-07.pdf?sequence=1 |publisher=[[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]] |access-date=18 June 2016 }}
* {{cite book |last=Swaminathan |first=Jayashankar |date=2009 |title=Indian Economic Superpower: Fiction Or Future? |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iOls3HJYNq8C|publisher=World Scientific Publishing |location=Singapore |isbn=9789812814661 }}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Commonscat|Simplifly Deccan}}{{Commonscat|Air Deccan (2003-2007)}}
* {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.airdeccan.net/}}, archived at the [[Wayback Machine]]

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[[Category:Companies based in Bengaluru]]
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[[Category:2003 establishments in Karnataka]]
[[Category:Air Deccan]]

Simplifly Deccan - Revision history

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