SIA's low cost arm, Scoot, to launch India flights soon

NEW DELHI: Scoot Airline, the low-cost arm of Singapore Airline (SIA), is all set to land soon in three Indian cities including Chennai, making it the fourth carrier from the Southeast Asian naton to operate to the world's fastest growing aviation market here.

An announcement in this regard is likely to be made in a month, sources in the know of the development said.

Besides parent Singapore Airlines, two of its two subsidiaries Tiger Air and Silk Air also operate to India at present.

SIA also holds 49 per cent stake in Indian full service carrier Vistara, in which Tata Sons is a majority stake holder with 51 per cent.

"Scoot Airline plans to operate from Chennai, Amritsar and Jaipur as part of its India entry plan. The airline is in the process of getting all mandatory approvals. A final announcement in this regard is expected to be made in the next couple of weeks," the sources said.

Like Singapore, airlines from Malaysia also have a significant presence in the Indian market.

Apart from Malaysian Airlines, AirAsia, AirAsia X, Thai AirAsia and Air Malindo Air, all Malaysia-based carriers, also fly to India. In addition, AirAsia has 49 per cent stake in AirAsia India, with Tata Sons holding 49 per cent in this venture, besides others.

Interestingly, Scoot Airline is entering the Indian market at a time when domestic airlines' body, Federation of Indian Airlines which has Jet Airways, SpiceJet, IndiGo and GoAir as its members, are urging the government not to allow creation of overseas hubs by foreign carriers.