Kingfisher Airlines to induct eight aircraft by October

MUMBAI: Kingfisher Airlines will add eight aircraft to its fleet by October in order to arrest a slide in market share. The aircraft will be taken on lease from the market, said the company in a recent presentation to investors. This is the first time in more than a year that the airline has indicated a plan to expand. Even in a growing market, Kighfisher could not deploy 14 aircraft which were grounded due to an engine problem.

“Kingfisher Airlines’ market share declined solely due to 14 grounded Airbus aircraft. That’s 40% of Indigo’s capacity and 60% of SpiceJet’s,” a Kingfisher Airlines’ spokesperson told ET.

Kingfisher plans to put all 14 grounded aircraft in air by March this year, as it has been able to resolve the maintenance and overhaul issues with the engine manufacturer IAE.