SpiceJet plans to start subsidiary feeder airline

New Delhi: Delhi-based low cost carrier, SpiceJet plans to set up a new subsidiary which will provide regional air connectivity in the domestic market, its CEO said on Wednesday. Aimed at consolidating market share, the new subsidiary will operate as a feeder airline connecting smaller cities and towns to the major cities where SpiceJet flies currently. SpiceJet CEO Sanjay Aggarwal said, "We are evaluating all options to increase our presence in aviation sector and a feeder service is one of them. It makes sense to have smaller aircraft to take care of regional operations, while our bigger fleet like Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 737-900 ER will be utilised for long-haul flights and the international operations, scheduled to start from May 2010."
The airline said that it plans to fly to various Asian countries such as Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, South East Asia and the Gulf region from India and is not looking at the US and the UK markets. "We are currently evaluating the potential markets. The plan is to utilise the current fleet, which is capable of taking flight operations for destinations in the Asian continent."
The carrier currently has a total fleet of 19 aircraft of Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 737-900 ER. It plans get five more aircraft by 2011 and would hire around 60 pilots in the next one year to meet its expansion plans.
25/02/09 Chanchal Pal Chauhan/Economic Times

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Categories: New Feb 2009, Regional Airlines Feb 2009, SpiceJet Feb 2009