He revealed this to media persons after he participated in the 21st annual day celebrations of Welcomegroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration at Hotel Valley View here on Thursday.

He said that in association with Manipal University, Deccan Airways is working on a plan to establish a airport at Manipal which is attracting students from all over the globe warranting such facility, and added that he has instructed his technocrats who are accompanying him on his tour to conduct a detail survey for the purpose.

Stating that  Kingfisher Airlines and Deccan Airways have finally decided to merge to become India's giant airline operator, Capt Gopinath said a Board meeting comprising the representatives from both the sides passed the resolution regarding the merger of the both the air lines and added that the valuators attending the meeting from both the sides are working on the equity holding by the two companies and assets of the new entity.

Clarifying the status of both the companies in the collaboration, Capt Gopinath said that it will take two to three months to complete the process of merger and added every two and half share of Kingfisher will be equal to one share of Deccan airlines

He also said that Airlines will be functioning separately under single entity and Deccan Helicopter wing will keep its separate identity in post merge scenario for which he himself will be the supremo.

In his lengthy address in the ceremony, Capt Gopinath gave details about his struggle in establishing Deccan Airways, and hoped that his experience may be an eye opener for the highly ambitious students.

An air craft company which started with one flight and two helicopters, owns 45 helicopters and 375 flights today covering 66 cities across the country, he recalled.

He also said that his airlines was the first to promote low cost flight service catering to small cities in the country enabling middle class people to experience the travel by air.

Manipal University Chancellor  Dr Ramdas Pai, Quality Learning & Six Sigma Vice-President  Ashok Ballal, Manipal University Vice Chancellor Dr Raj Warrior and Pro Chancellor Dr H S Ballal were present.

DHNS