IndiGo on Thursday said it always evaluates available options amid reports that the budget carrier is likely to have a premium class in its flights.

The airline, which has a domestic market share of more than 62 per cent, is expanding its operations. It has a fleet of more than 330 aircraft, and 970 planes are on order.

“We are always in the process of evaluating options available. As a policy, we do not comment on speculation and will share any information if and when we have anything to share,” IndiGo said in a statement.

The statement came in the backdrop of reports that the airline plans to have a premium class in its A321 XLR aircraft and also launch a loyalty programme.

IndiGo expects delivery of A321 XLR planes in late 2024 or early 2025.

“XLR will help us expand our range... when XLRs come in, that can bring us further into Europe to places such as Athens ... it can bring further into Asia to places like Seoul,” IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers said on November 6.

The report comes at a time the domestic aviation sector has been flying high thanks to the recently concluded cricket World Cup, even as the October-December quarter is their peak season.

It is felt that the competition between IndiGo and the Tatas-run Air India will intensify both on local and international routes. The carrier told analysts at a concall after its second quarter results that while it recently introduced four new domestic destinations, there are plans to increase its international destination count from 32 to 34.

According to a report from Prabhudas Lilladher, the share of international ASK (available seat per kilometre) is expected to increase from 26 per cent to 30 per cent in the future.