Toyota Motorsport GmbH Announces Official Partnership with India’s Kingfisher Airlines

Koln, Germany , 2007-01-12

Kingfisher Airlines, India’s fastest growing airline, today announced that it had inked a multi-year partnership deal with Toyota Motorsport GmbH to be an official partner of the Toyota F1 Racing team. With the signing of this deal, Kingfisher Airlines enters the high-profile Formula 1 circuit and will be designated as official partner for the Toyota Racing Team of the Köln based Toyota Motorsport GmbH. Rated as one of corporate India’s biggest overseas brand partnerships, the deal will initially be for a period of two years commencing with the 2007 racing season.

The deal also marks the largest sports partnership programme so far for the 21-month-old Kingfisher Airlines. This partnership also marks the first time ever that an airline based out of India has partnered on this scale with anyone in the F1 circuit worldwide.

The deal was inked just ahead of the official unveiling of Toyota’s long-awaited 2007 challenger, the TF 107 at Cologne's 'Expo XXI' exhibition grounds, in the team’s home town. Drivers Ralf Schumacher and Jarno Trulli were both present at the unveiling of the car. The announcement was made by Dr. Vijay Mallya, Chairman and CEO, Kingfisher Airlines Limited and Toyota Motorsport President John Howett.

Starting from the next Grand Prix, the distinctive “Fly Kingfisher’ insignia-one of the most recognizable brands in India and the world, will feature prominently on the TF107 Formula 1 racing cars at race events across the globe. The ‘Fly Kingfisher’ insignia will also appear on the drivers’ helmets and overalls, as well as all corporate branding platforms.

Kingfisher Airlines, India’s fastest growing airline commenced operations with a brand new fleet of aircraft on May 9 2005. Kingfisher Airlines started with just four flights a day and today it offers 146 flights daily connecting 24 key Indian business and leisure destinations on a fleet of 24 brand new aircraft.

The partnership between Kingfisher Airlines and Toyota Racing team will aim to raise the profile of the team and Formula 1 in India aim to raise the profile of the team and Formula 1 in India while showcasing the Kingfisher Airlines brand to the world.

Toyota Motorsport President John Howett said: “This partnership is exciting news, not just for Panasonic Toyota Racing but for Formula 1 in general. We hope this partnership will strengthen Formula 1’s position in India and bring Panasonic Toyota Racing to the people of India. We are grateful for the support of an ambitious and successful brand like Kingfisher Airlines and we will help them as they expand into an international operation.”

Sharing the vision behind partnering with a global sports event of this scale, Dr. Vijay Mallya, Chairman and CEO, Kingfisher Airlines Limited commented, “Of all the available sponsorship opportunities and platforms, Formula 1 is the most premium and the most visible one. This association will naturally enhance the image of Kingfisher Airlines and catapult it to a league of select and renowned international brands that typically support Formula 1 initiatives. The shared values of Kingfisher Airlines and Formula 1 racing— a dedication to innovation, delighting viewers and guests, and commitment to absolute excellence — are highly complementary.”

Dr. Mallya added, “Given the ever- increasing volume of inbound international visitors into India, it makes eminent sense for Kingfisher Airlines to leverage a global sports platform like Formula 1 to augment visibility and appeal for all audiences worldwide. Besides, we intend to weave together a series of compelling consumer engagement initiatives that will reward our guests flying on board Kingfisher Airlines with free opportunities to watch Formula 1 races live amongst other exciting rewards.”

About Kingfisher Airlines

Kingfisher Airlines is India's first and only private airline to receive the prestigious, 'Best New Airline of the Year' award in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East region from Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA). Kingfisher Airlines has also been voted as the 3rd Most Successful Brand Launch of the Year 2005, in the annual Brand Derby Survey conducted by India's leading business daily-Business Standard. In another Survey conducted by agencyfaqs.com and Brand Reporter, Kingfisher was voted as the 7th Buzziest Brand of 2005 amongst 2000 leading national and international brands. More recently, Kingfisher Airlines has bagged the "Service Excellence for a New Airline" award from Skytrax, a UK based specialist global air transport advisor.

Another addition to the list of laurels is the "Best New Domestic Airline for Excellent Services and Cuisine" award from Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA), the biggest travel writers' organization, across the globe, that conducts independent annual surveys across various industries related with Travel and Tourism in order to select the best in each category. In a survey conducted by IMB for Times of India, 46% of the participants voted Kingfisher Airlines 'The Best Airline" and "India's Favourite Carrier". Lastly Kingfisher Airlines won the “Brand Leadership Award” in the service and hospitality segment against several acclaimed hotels, leading banks and other airlines. Kingfisher Airlines commenced operations on May 9, 2005 with a brand new fleet of aircraft. Kingfisher Airlines offers Full Service at True Value and promises an unparalleled experience to the Indian air traveler. On offer are extra-wide seats and spacious leg room, delicious gourmet meals, international-class cabin crew and a whole host of comforts and delights. Kingfisher Airlines also facilitates doorstep delivery of tickets on guest request. Kingfisher Airlines has further raised the bar by introducing the Indian business traveler to a premium product- Kingfisher First, the finest experience in the Indian skies. For more information on Kingfisher Airlines log on to www.flykingfisher.com. Fly the Good Times with Kingfisher Airlines.

Contact

Malini Nair, Manager PR, Kingfisher Airlines Ltd., + 91 93242 39730
[email protected]