SpiceJet networks to cover South India
Delhi-based low cost carrier SpiceJet is strengthening its network in the South India market with Hyderabad as the hub.
By Sudipto Dey, TNN |
NEW DELHI: Delhi-based low cost carrier SpiceJet is strengthening its network in the South India market with Hyderabad as the hub. Even as the low cost carrier adds new stations in the South over the next three months, plans are to make Kochi the main city to tap the lucrative Gulf market, as and when the airline is allowed to fly international.
While improving connectivity and frequencies out of South markets, SpiceJet plans to add Port Blair and Coimbatore to its network over the next couple of months. This month SpiceJet launched direct flights connecting Delhi with Kochi. The airline plans to take the number of its daily flights out of South from around 29 to 40 over the next six months, senior company executives said.
Plans are to connect Port Blair with Chennai and Kolkata by end of next month. “As we add newer destinations in the region, this will help to improve connectivity between various stations within South,” SpiceJet executive chairman Siddhanta Sharma told ET. The frequency of flights out of Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bangalore are also set to go up in the coming months.
In a strategic move, the airline plans to use Kochi as a base for flights to the lucrative Gulf market. Government is currently mulling over relaxing the norms for domestic carriers to fly abroad. It is mandatory for airlines to have five years of domestic operations before they are eligible to go overseas. SpiceJet director Ajay Singh said that the airline would be in a position to go international and fly to destinations in South Asia, the Gulf and China, if government relaxes current rules.
SpiceJet is slated to take delivery of four Boeing 737-800 ER (extended reach) over the next six months that would have the capacity to fly short haul from India. The airline has a fleet of 14 aircraft that connects to 15 destinations around the country. It plans to have fleet of 20 aircraft by May 2008.
While improving connectivity and frequencies out of South markets, SpiceJet plans to add Port Blair and Coimbatore to its network over the next couple of months. This month SpiceJet launched direct flights connecting Delhi with Kochi. The airline plans to take the number of its daily flights out of South from around 29 to 40 over the next six months, senior company executives said.
Plans are to connect Port Blair with Chennai and Kolkata by end of next month. “As we add newer destinations in the region, this will help to improve connectivity between various stations within South,” SpiceJet executive chairman Siddhanta Sharma told ET. The frequency of flights out of Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bangalore are also set to go up in the coming months.
In a strategic move, the airline plans to use Kochi as a base for flights to the lucrative Gulf market. Government is currently mulling over relaxing the norms for domestic carriers to fly abroad. It is mandatory for airlines to have five years of domestic operations before they are eligible to go overseas. SpiceJet director Ajay Singh said that the airline would be in a position to go international and fly to destinations in South Asia, the Gulf and China, if government relaxes current rules.
SpiceJet is slated to take delivery of four Boeing 737-800 ER (extended reach) over the next six months that would have the capacity to fly short haul from India. The airline has a fleet of 14 aircraft that connects to 15 destinations around the country. It plans to have fleet of 20 aircraft by May 2008.
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