SpiceJet plans expansion ahead of going international

New Delhi: Leading no-frill carrier SpiceJet is working on fleet acquisition plans and analysing routes as it aims at launching international operations by May next year.
“We are analysing all aspects of it. We are studying in which markets bilateral rights are available, what are the routes,” airline CEO Sanjay Aggarwal told the agency in an interview in Delhi.
An airline has to complete five years of domestic operations and have a fleet of 20 or more aircraft before it is allowed to fly abroad.
SpiceJet operates over 125 domestic flights to 18 cities daily and would fulfil the eligibility criteria for international operations on 23 May, 2010.
The company has not yet decided on whether it will go for purchase of new aircrafts or would lease planes. Aggarwal said “capacity decisions have to be taken. We may lease planes instead of buying any as a lot of them are now available in the market.”
“We are evaluating international operations as also regional connectivity, coupled with our fleet order. These are expensive decisions. Therefore we have to take smart decisions,” he added.
The airline is also planning to expand into tier-II and tier-III destinations, which have a huge potential.
To serve these routes, the SpiceJet CEO said ”we are exploring smaller aircraft operations. These aircraft will be used primarily for two-tier markets.“
05/07/09 PTI/Livemint

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Categories: SpiceJet Jul 2009