Mumbai: If the last decade was about the birth of low-cost airlines in India, the current one is all set for a full-throttle, steep climb in the number of no-frill seats on offer, what with yet another low-cost airline announcing mega aircraft purchase plans on Thursday. The Wadia-group backed, budget carrier, GoAir has placed a Rs 32,400-crore aircraft purchase order for 72 " Airbus 320 NEO" aircraft. The deliveries will begin from 2015, with an induction rate of 15 aircraft per year. That is, 2,700 GoAir seats to be added every year till 2020.
Prior to this, the airline had placed an order for 20, A320s and these aircraft will be delivered over the next 24 months. With the latest deal, the total aircraft on order with GoAir jumps up to 92. Currently, the 2005-born airline, which adheres to the low-cost model of having a uniform aircraft fleet, operates 133 daily domestic flights with a fleet of ten A320 aircraft. "We are evaluating various fund-raising options (for the deal). It will be a combination of debt and equity," Jeh Wadia, GoAir managing director, said announcing the 72-aircraft order in a press meet held on Thursday.
The fuel-efficient, 180-seater "A320 NEO" aircraft are an upgraded version of Airbus' best-selling A320 150-seat workhorse. Early this year, low-cost airline IndiGo placed the largest jet aircraft order in commercial aviation history with a deal for 180 A320 aircraft. The deliveries will begin in 2016. Last year, Spice Jet had placed an order for 30 Bombardier turboprop aircraft.
17/06/11 Times of India
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