AVAM ties up with two LCCs for inflight shopping

NEW DELHI: Bidding to cash in on the civil aviation boom in India, in-flight shopping service provider AVA Merchandising (AVAM) has signed up with low-cost carriers, including Air Deccan and SpiceJet, even as it targets a four-fold jump in turnover to Rs 200 crore.

"Agreements have been signed with Go-Air, Air Deccan and SpiceJet for introducing catalogue based in-flight shopping to their passengers and soon other airlines would be roped in," AVA Merchandising Director Anil Sharma said.

He said the company is also looking to expand its services on international flights in due course of time.

Last fiscal, the company had a turnover of around Rs 50 crore and through expansion of the existing business, it expects to cross Rs 200 crore this year, he added.

Sharma said the company has already obtained Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) licence for providing onboard shopping services.

As part of its agreement with the airliners, AVAM would train cabin crew on inflight marketing and showcasing products such as consumer electronic goods and branded jewellery.

Passengers could also book products through telephone, which would be either delivered at the airport or at home, Sharma added.