French award for Capt. Gopinath

New Delhi, May 19: Air Deccan CEO Capt. Gopinath, who pioneered no-frills air travel in the country, has been awarded the French government's 'Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur' (Knight of the Legion of Honour).

Capt. Gopinath was bestowed the honour, a top civilian award in France, by President Jacques Chirac yesterday, according to the French Embassy here.

''Your name is indeed associated with exceptional dynamism and quality of Indian industry. By this award, France acknowledges also the decisive role that you play for the development of the business relations between our two countries,'' said a congratulatory letter from French Ambassador Dominique Girard.

Launched in 2003 with a single ATR turboprop aircraft between Bangalore and Hubli, Air Deccan today covers 55 airports in the country and has a market share of 14 per cent.

UNI