Regional routes get big on airline radars

New Delhi: The UPA-I government's concept of regional airlines to promote regional connectivity is now taking shape as not only the scheduled and low- cost carriers but also foreign carriers are set to tap this unexplored space.
Domestic carriers Jet Airways and Air India have planned out expansions for firming- up its regional routes. Even foreign carriers, such as Air Asia and Air Arabia have announced flights from Kuala Lumpur and Sharjah, respectively, to fly to various Tier- II cities - Trichy, Coimbatore, Kozhikode, Kochi, Lucknow, Nagpur, Jaipur and Ahmedabad.
Cheap foreign carriers choose Indian cities that have specific needs or particular meaning to the wider world, said an airline official.
Air Asia chose Trichy because it is a popular pilgrimage site. "Lucknow was attractive to ' Fly Dubai' because it is among India's fastest growing cities and has industry hubs for retail, manufacturing, commerce and education sectors. .." said an aviation expert.
Similarly India's low cost carrier, SpiceJet also has plans to operate on regional routes.
The chief executive officer ( CEO) of SpiceJet, Neil Mills on Tuesday said it would spend as much as Rs 3,987 crore ($ 900 million) to purchase 30 next generation turboprop aircraft from Canada's Bombardier Inc.
03/11/10 Sanjay Singh/India Today

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Categories: Air India Regional Nov 2010, Airports Nov 2010, New Nov 2010