Mararajah may be denied boarding
MUMBAI: The Maharajah may be on the way out but the Singapore Girl is staying.
Two of the most recognisable icons in world aviation have been under pressure as brand gurus assess their current relevance.
Reports suggest the imminent merger between Air-India and Indian Airlines will see the Maharajah bumped off the plane.
The familiar figure first made his appearance with Air India in 1946, when Bobby Kooka, Air India’s commercial director, and Umesh Rao, an artist with J.Walter Thompson in Mumbai, together created the Maharajah.
He began as a rich Indian potentate, symbolising graciousness and high living but later his creators gave him a distinctive personality, adding a large moustache and striped turban.
However, the planned merger of India’s two state-run airlines could put the Maharaja out of a job. Advertising and brand experts are suggesting that the old boy has lost some of his relevance and now may be a good time to retire.
For Singapore Girl the good news is that she will remain dressed in her hallmark sarong kebaya uniform. ??
Batey Ads, the advertising firm that 35 years ago created the campaign and the slogan “Singapore Girl — You’re a great way to fly”, had been asked to consider new marketing strategies.
But Singapore Airlines has confirmed that even though it has yet to decide on who will handle its advertising account in future, the Singapore girl icon will not undergo any changes. ??
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026