First Embraer For Paramount Airways Touches Base

S. Nithya Kamakshi - CHENNAI

The first Brazilian made Embraer jet plane, floated by Madurai-based textile major Paramount Airways, has touched Coimbatore base. The Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel launched Paramount's first flight to Coimbatore from Madurai

The commercial airline aims to link tier-two cities like Coimbatore, Kochi, Pune and Nagpur with metros at cheaper rates. M Thiagarajan, managing director of Paramount said, "Linking tier two cities with metros will help reduce travel time and expenditure greatly." The new routes will be Coimbatore-Delhi-Coimbatore, Delhi-Kochi-Delhi and Coimbatore-Chennai-Coimbatore sectors. The frequency will be increased with the induction of four more flights in the next nine months, with 1,000-1,500 passengers expected to fly daily on these sectors. The airline plans to begin operations with six trips a day. According to the Paramount official, the cost will be 60 per cent less than the economy class fare in other airlines operating in India. The airline had acquired five jet planes at a cost of about Rs 600 crore, Thiagarajan said.

According to Thiagarajan, "We will be selling tickets through ATM-like kiosks, with e-payment and e-ticketing facilities." He further added that linking tier two cities with metros would help passengers reduce travelling time and expenditure. The unique features of the 70-seater are its superior operation and fuel consumption. The aircraft has advanced weather radar fitted with a lightening sensor system and a turbulent detection mode. While radar would alert the pilots about the intensity of lightning or thunderstorms, detection mode would assist them in avoiding turbulent air pockets, while in flight, he said.