GoAir to induct four planes, raise frequencies to non-metro cities

NEW DELHI: No-frill carrier GoAir will induct four new planes by the end of this financial year and use them to increase frequency of flights between metro and non-metro cities.

"We are going to add four new aircraft, Airbus A320, by the end of this financial year (2013-14). We would be getting one plane in July, two in October and one in February next year. These would be deployed to increase frequency of flights in certain markets, particularly in metro and non-metro cities," GoAir CEO Giorgio De Roni told PTI.

The Jeh Wadia-owned airline operates 102 daily flights to 21 cities.

De Roni said after induction of new planes, the fleet strength would increase to 19. Also it will make the airline to have the youngest fleet in India.

"Youngest fleet means many things -- a better environment for the customer, lower maintenance cost and more efficient fuel consumption and consequently the lower emission of gases," he said.

The CEO claimed that the carrier had managed to deliver a profit in the financial year 2012-13 and in first quarter of 2013-14 but not in second quarter.

He said the airline managed to register profit due to an increase in demand by 16 per cent, despite a decrease in domestic traffic by six per cent. And also by keeping the fleet young.

"We expect the volume to increase by more than 20 per cent this year. The second quarter would be a difficult one, we don't expect great results, but I am totally confident that we will be able to deliver a profit at the end of this financial year," he said.

GoAir is planning to add one more domestic destination on its network by the end of this year.

"There might be 22nd airport by the end of this year, we are evaluating an opportunity," he added.