Real Punjabis fly Air Slovakia

junglist215 · October 14th, 2006, 02:18 PM

Fly Air Slovakia for Punjabi experience

By Soutik Biswas
BBC News, Delhi
source

An Indian-born businessman has purchased a private central European airline for an undisclosed amount.

Harjinder Singh Sidhu, who lives in the UK and is a British passport holder, bought Air Slovakia, a small privately owned airline based in the capital, Bratislava last week, it has emerged.

His son, Riqbal 'Rocky' Singh, told the BBC News website that his father wants to transform the 60-employee Air Slovakia into a "Punjabi experience".

That means using crew, food and in-flight entertainment from the northern Indian state of Punjab and using regional headquarters based in the Punjabi city of Jalandhar.

There will be "dedicated" planes flying into Punjab too, he said.

"The bulk of our passengers are from Punjab and Punjabis from Europe. So we want to brand Air Slovakia as an airline with Punjabi ambience and flavour. Our stewards, airhostesses will be from Punjab as also the in-flight food," Mr Singh, who is a director at the airline, said.

But what does Mr Singh say about an airline catering to passengers from Punjab still being named Air Slovakia?

"The airline will have a second name of sorts when it comes to India. All tickets to and from India will be sold under a Punjabi name which will also be branded on the planes," Mr Singh said.

The airline's newest London Stansted to Amritsar flight, carrying its new 56-year-old owner, takes off on Friday evening and is due at its destination on Saturday morning.

Passenger complaints

Air Slovakia presently has a three plane fleet - two Boeing 757s and one Boeing 737. It was founded in 1993 by a group of Slovak businessmen.

The new owners now plan to buy or lease six more planes by the middle of next year and expand operations.

The 'Indian' Air Slovakia will fly to Milan, Bratislava, Birmingham, London, and Cologne in Germany. Return ticket prices are expected to range from $530 to $1100.

Airline passenger websites do not report a very happy experience of travelling on Air Slovakia so far.

"My advice would be not to travel on Air Slovakia, very poor service, very cramped, not enough leg room, staff rude, food poor.. Air Slovakia leave you stranded and offer you no help," complains a passenger on one website.

Another passenger wrote: "The air stewardesses grasp of English was very poor and they had no concept of any other languages like Punjabi or Hindi which was very unusual considering all the passengers were of Asian origin."

Mr Singh admits that there are "service issues with passenger satisfaction" that need to be addressed.

"I think the Slovakians did not fully understand the needs of Punjabi passengers. But things have improved after we took over the airline."

The new owner, Harjinder Singh Sidhu, is a Punjab-born businessman who left India at the age of 16 and has "commercial properties and petrol" businesses based in UK, his associates say.

He has also been running chartered flights between London and Punjab for the past three years, and selling Air Slovakia tickets out of the UK since last year.

Riqbal Singh says his father began "financially assisting" Air Slovakia this May before deciding to buy it out.

"'There's no fun in running an airline like this. Let's take it over,' my father said. So we took it over."

One report says the father paid $30m for the airline, but the son is not confirming that - "Let's say its in that region."

What is also unclear is how Air Slovakia was faring financially when the Singhs took it over.

"Let us say it is about to enter puberty. It needs some tender love and care," says Mr Singh with a flourish.

**RacingSoul** · October 14th, 2006, 02:21 PM

first step in the takeover...they shud change the name to Air Bruaaahhh!

junglist215 · October 14th, 2006, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RacingSoul

first step in the takeover...they shud change the name to Air Bruaaahhh!

LMAO

roy_desi · October 14th, 2006, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RacingSoul

first step in the takeover...they shud change the name to Air Bruaaahhh!

rx300 · October 14th, 2006, 02:29 PM

Interesting Read

ziggazag · October 14th, 2006, 02:49 PM

Thats a great Idea, and here is another Idea, since 50% or more of the european and american pakis are also punjabis maybe they can start flights to Lahore, the cpital of punjab and islamabad as well.

junglist215 · October 14th, 2006, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ziggazag

Thats a great Idea, and here is another Idea, since 50% or more of the european and american pakis are also punjabis maybe they can start flights to Lahore, the cpital of punjab and islamabad as well.

word, it'll be interesting to see how they expand their network

**Irreligious Left** · October 14th, 2006, 03:19 PM

I'd bet against this venture succeeding.

.AK. · October 14th, 2006, 03:26 PM

i can just imagine the flight attendants:

the exit is located to ur left.....and to ur right
................................

Shh! Dont tell · October 14th, 2006, 05:03 PM

I should be one of them air hostess.

"Marjaaneya! Roti kaa!"

My translation...

"Fool, Eat Roti!"

junglist215 · October 14th, 2006, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irreligious Left

I'd bet against this venture succeeding.

I don't think its such a bad idea. Air India is already flying Delhi>Amritsar> Birmingham>Toronto and if Air Slovakia can get the proper aircraft, slots they can definitely target the Punjabi crowd. Hopefully the customer service get sorted out.

SharpenedMango · October 14th, 2006, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irreligious Left

I'd bet against this venture succeeding.

hmm, id be inclined to agree,
but if its marketed right, and they get their customer service targeted jusssss right, this could be a massive success

October 14th, 2006, 02:18 PM	#1
junglist215 Addicted Join Date: Dec 1 2004 Location: CHICAGO Posts: 3,045 Reputation: 33095151 --> Rep Power: 3309548 Casino cash: $4990	Real Punjabis fly Air Slovakia Fly Air Slovakia for Punjabi experience By Soutik Biswas BBC News, Delhi source An Indian-born businessman has purchased a private central European airline for an undisclosed amount. Harjinder Singh Sidhu, who lives in the UK and is a British passport holder, bought Air Slovakia, a small privately owned airline based in the capital, Bratislava last week, it has emerged. His son, Riqbal 'Rocky' Singh, told the BBC News website that his father wants to transform the 60-employee Air Slovakia into a "Punjabi experience". That means using crew, food and in-flight entertainment from the northern Indian state of Punjab and using regional headquarters based in the Punjabi city of Jalandhar. There will be "dedicated" planes flying into Punjab too, he said. "The bulk of our passengers are from Punjab and Punjabis from Europe. So we want to brand Air Slovakia as an airline with Punjabi ambience and flavour. Our stewards, airhostesses will be from Punjab as also the in-flight food," Mr Singh, who is a director at the airline, said. But what does Mr Singh say about an airline catering to passengers from Punjab still being named Air Slovakia? "The airline will have a second name of sorts when it comes to India. All tickets to and from India will be sold under a Punjabi name which will also be branded on the planes," Mr Singh said. The airline's newest London Stansted to Amritsar flight, carrying its new 56-year-old owner, takes off on Friday evening and is due at its destination on Saturday morning. Passenger complaints Air Slovakia presently has a three plane fleet - two Boeing 757s and one Boeing 737. It was founded in 1993 by a group of Slovak businessmen. The new owners now plan to buy or lease six more planes by the middle of next year and expand operations. The 'Indian' Air Slovakia will fly to Milan, Bratislava, Birmingham, London, and Cologne in Germany. Return ticket prices are expected to range from $530 to $1100. Airline passenger websites do not report a very happy experience of travelling on Air Slovakia so far. "My advice would be not to travel on Air Slovakia, very poor service, very cramped, not enough leg room, staff rude, food poor.. Air Slovakia leave you stranded and offer you no help," complains a passenger on one website. Another passenger wrote: "The air stewardesses grasp of English was very poor and they had no concept of any other languages like Punjabi or Hindi which was very unusual considering all the passengers were of Asian origin." Mr Singh admits that there are "service issues with passenger satisfaction" that need to be addressed. "I think the Slovakians did not fully understand the needs of Punjabi passengers. But things have improved after we took over the airline." The new owner, Harjinder Singh Sidhu, is a Punjab-born businessman who left India at the age of 16 and has "commercial properties and petrol" businesses based in UK, his associates say. He has also been running chartered flights between London and Punjab for the past three years, and selling Air Slovakia tickets out of the UK since last year. Riqbal Singh says his father began "financially assisting" Air Slovakia this May before deciding to buy it out. "'There's no fun in running an airline like this. Let's take it over,' my father said. So we took it over." One report says the father paid $30m for the airline, but the son is not confirming that - "Let's say its in that region." What is also unclear is how Air Slovakia was faring financially when the Singhs took it over. "Let us say it is about to enter puberty. It needs some tender love and care," says Mr Singh with a flourish. __________________

October 14th, 2006, 02:21 PM	#2
RacingSoul YEHH GURLL! Tournaments Won: 84 Join Date: May 1 2005 Location: Twadi maa di phuddi! Posts: 33,892 Reputation: 2147483647 --> Rep Power: 214748519 Casino cash: $150567	first step in the takeover...they shud change the name to Air Bruaaahhh! __________________

October 14th, 2006, 02:29 PM	#5
rx300 VIP Yellow Dude Join Date: Nov 3 2005 Location: in StL, USA BABY!!! Posts: 6,011 Reputation: 10 --> Rep Power: 43 Casino cash: $1000	Interesting Read __________________

October 14th, 2006, 03:26 PM	#9
.AK. Should I Consider Retiring??? Join Date: Mar 27 2006 Posts: 17,944 Reputation: 10 --> Rep Power: 88 Casino cash: $1405	i can just imagine the flight attendants: the exit is located to ur left.....and to ur right ................................ __________________

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October 14th, 2006, 02:49 PM	#6
ziggazag Still a Newb Join Date: May 29 2006 Posts: 264 Reputation: 10 --> Rep Power: 18 Casino cash: $1000	Thats a great Idea, and here is another Idea, since 50% or more of the european and american pakis are also punjabis maybe they can start flights to Lahore, the cpital of punjab and islamabad as well.

October 14th, 2006, 03:19 PM	#8
Irreligious Left VIP Member Join Date: Mar 17 2004 Posts: 14,218 Reputation: 2142114935 --> Rep Power: 214211573 Casino cash: $66289	I'd bet against this venture succeeding.

October 14th, 2006, 05:03 PM	#10
Shh! Dont tell Should I Consider Retiring??? Join Date: Jan 2 2006 Location: Not where my <3 is. Posts: 12,614 Reputation: 787601070 --> Rep Power: 78760174 Casino cash: $14843	I should be one of them air hostess. "Marjaaneya! Roti kaa!" My translation... "Fool, Eat Roti!"

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