New players entering aviation sector won't immediately pose threat to existing ones: SpiceJet, CEO, Neil Mills

LUCKNOW: SpiceJet, Chief Executive Officer, Neil Mills feels that the opening up of the aviation sector to FDI would not immediately throw up a challenge to existing players as the new entrants would take some time to create their infrastructure.

He said that SpiceJet is in no hurry to strike an FDI deal as it is already well placed. Mills said that they are open to any FDI offers but would do it whenever they find the right partner. He said that the entry of Air Asia into the India market would not immediately stir things up and they will take some time before they make an impact.

He said that air Asia would be setting up its base in Chennai where SpiceJet is already the largest operator and they were confident of retaining their hold over the market.

He was speaking on the occasion of the launch of the four day a week Lucknow-Sharjah flight. He said that SpiceJet has added 31 new destinations in the last 30 months and now offers service to 8 international and 45 domestic destinations.

He said that the tier-II and III towns are the new growth centres for the aviation sector and SpiceJet's is focused on these new opportunities.