Indian aviation sector is on full throttle

As the domestic airline companies are mushrooming in all major cities, foreign players are also starting operation from Mumbai and other metro cities. Eva Air, a Taipei-based airline has started flights from Mumbai – Taipei from December 2006. In an interview to Nehul Jagdish Kumar, Eric Chiang, General Manager, Eva Air, discuss air routes in India and other areas.




Sir, tell us about Eva Air and its operation?
Eva Air is the sister concern of Evergreen Group, under the leadership of Dr Y F Chang, Chairman and Founder. It was incorporated in 1989 and started its maiden flight in 1991, we have more than 50 passenger and cargo aircrafts with operation network stretching to Europe, the US, Asia and Oceania, linking more than 40 cities, including Mumbai and New Delhi.

What are the services Eva Air provides?
Eva Air's economy class seating ensures passengers a restful slumber even during the longest flights. Every economy-class passengers abroad has a personal colour VGA screen with audio-visual. We have tie up 800 hotels for free room all over the world for frequent Eva Air flyers. The staff is professionally by the state-of-the-art technology traning centre.

When it was launched and its first operation?
We are operating in India, since 1999, we started with cargo operations and then launched passenger service direct flight to Mumbai-Taipei from December 11, 2006 .

Tell us about the Mumbai-Taipei route, response to this service?
Launched in December 11, 2006, we got good response, we are also in the process of starting services from other metro cities. "Departure in the morning and you can have your lunch in LA."
Any other metro cities will be connected in the coming days or months?
Kolkata, Chennai are on our extension map.

Sir, your views on Indian aviation industry?
The Indian gross domestic product (GDP) will grow in the double digit and the people of India will become rich in the coming years, they will travel, spend lots of money in travelling, shopping. More than 1,400 foreign companies are coming in India for business, this will increase people's purchasing power. The aviation boom has compeled many foreign airline company to start their operation from Mumbai. Some Taiwan banks will also open branches in Mumbai and Delhi. We are happy to do business in Mumbai and Delhi, our service will provide passengers to save time and money.

Which plane model do you use in Mumbai-Taipei route?
Currently, we are using Boeing 747/400 combi on this route, In coming months Boeing 777 will be used.

Any code sharing agreement with other airlines in India ?
We have code sharing agreement with Air India on Mumbai-Taipei route and we are in talks for code sharing on other routes also.

Is your company aiming for full-fledged operations in India ?
Yes, first we will start cargo operation and then passenger service.

Sir tell us about the safest airline award by Aero international?
Eva Air come under top 10 safest airline in the world by the Aero International, frequent flyers' magazine. In our operation history not a single accident occurred.