The rivals of Jet Airways are rushing to fill the gap left by the ailing carrier on domestic routes.
Low-cost carrier SpiceJet on Tuesday said it planned to add five more 90-seater Bombardier Q400s planes, taking its total to 32 Bombardiers, as it beefs up its regional network.
“As part of our efforts to augment capacity and minimise passenger inconvenience, SpiceJet will induct five more Q400s in addition to the 16 B737s we announced last week,” SpiceJet chairman and managing director Ajay Singh said.
IndiGo, India’s largest carrier, said it would be adding 18 flights from Mumbai and Delhi to its existing domestic and international networks.
“Effective May 2019, the airline will operate 10 additional flights out of Mumbai and 8 additional flights from Delhi. These flights will also connect to IndiGo’s existing domestic and international network. This is an effort to make it easier for customers to find affordable fares during the busy season,” the carrier said.
The move by the two airlines is aimed at augmenting capacity following the near collapse of Jet, which has resulted in a massive surge in fares besides a mismatch in demand and supply in the peak travel season.
SpiceJet said three of the five Bombardiers would join the fleet in the next 10 days, while the remaining two will be inducted by June.
The no-frills carrier had last week announced the dry lease of 16 Boeing 737-800 NGs. A dry lease agreement allows just the lease of planes and not the crew.
The sudden reduction of capacity should in no way hamper connectivity to the smaller towns and cities of India, Singh said.
As the country's largest regional operator, SpiceJet will make all possible efforts in this direction, he added.
The Telegraph