Cochin likely to become SpiceJet’s hub for international operations

NEW DELHI: SpiceJet has announced to ramp up its international operations from Cochin International Airport, which may become its hub for international operations in the future. The airline has announced to enhance its network from Kochi to the Gulf region with more flights, as well as increase connectivity to Male through Kochi from other points in India.

Currently, Air India Express in the only other low-cost carrier that offers international connectivity primarily through its hub in Trivandrum.

“Representatives of SpiceJet and officials of Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) held a discussion meeting in Kochi on this issue today. At present the airline operates to two international destinations, Dubai and Male ( Maldives) from Kochi. The airline has seen good traffic on these routes and now plans further expansion from the city on these routes and potential new ones. Kochi is also a transit airport for SpiceJet connecting various cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune and Kolkata among others to Male and Dubai,” the airline said in a release.

As per the discussions held, SpiceJet is exploring further increasing its presence in the Gulf region with additional frequencies to Dubai, as well as potential new flights connecting Kochi with some popular destinations like Muscat, the release added.

“SpiceJet has seen excellent demand from Kochi for its flights on both domestic as well as the international routes. The Maldives is an easily accessible and increasingly popular destination that we want to provide more connection options to through Kochi from various points in India, and the Gulf region has a lot of migrants from the State and offering affordable and convenient travel option to them is our commitment,” Sanjiv Kapoor, Chief Operating Officer of SpiceJet Ltd was quoted in the release.