Strengthening reach & network

Amongst the fastest growing low-cost carriers in the world, IndiGo has a simple philosophy – to offer fares that are low, flights that are on time, and a courteous, hassle-free travel experience.

Manas Dwivedi

With an intent to strengthen the breadth and density of its network by adding new flights in key markets while selectively adding new routes and destinations, Indigo is looking to stronghold its dominant position in the Indian aviation market. Adding a number of new flights and destinations in the last couple of months, IndiGo has extended its reach to more than 60 destinations including 14 international cities.

On the recent developments, William Boulter, Chief Commercial Officer, IndiGo says, “As part of the international expansion, Kuala Lumpur, Male and Phuket will be the new destinations on our network. We have recently started flights for Kuwait and Abu Dhabi. Apart from this, Allahabad will be our fourth destination in Uttar Pradesh after Lucknow, Varanasi and Gorakhpur. Under the UDAN scheme, IndiGo has also started services to Hubli and Trichy.”

With UDAN flights already in the pipeline, we plan to offer our services to more people across the country by adding new destinations to our flight routes

“While we remain focused on building our domestic network, we will also continue to connect destinations internationally. With our existing fleet and the new A321neos that we expect to start receiving deliveries of towards the end of the year, IndiGo will have the capability to reach cities in China, Middle East and Southeast Asia,” he adds.

Talking about his plans and targets for 2019, Boulter reveals, “With UDAN flights already in the pipeline along with others, we plan to offer our flights and services to more people across the country by adding new destinations to our flight routes. In addition, IndiGo has always been keen to explore long haul operations, and we remain open to opportunities around the same. We will continue to expand our network to meet the requirements of both business and leisure travellers wherever they demand it.”

Boulter affirms that the industry has become highly competitive with the advent of low-cost airlines and competitive fares in terms of the growth of aviation industry. “We face intense competition from other low-cost carriers as well as full-cost carriers that operate on our routes. In India, low cost is critical to the airline industry which is characterised by highly price-sensitive consumers. On one hand, increase in input costs such as fuel prices, aircraft landing and enroute charges have increased pressure on the industry’s profitability. On the other hand, demand for air travel continues to be robust at low fares in the domestic market, absorbing the rapid capacity expansion and stimulating higher air travel demand,” he adds.

Boulter further mentions, “With a share of over 65 per cent in India’s air travel market, Low Cost Carriers (LCCs) continued to gain acceptance not only amongst leisure travellers but also corporate ones by meeting their key expectations of network density, schedule and on-time performance. This keeps a healthy environment in the market as all players work their best to come up with low cost and high utility strategy.”

Foreign Links

• With IndiGo’s existing fleet and the new A321neos expected to start receiving deliveries towards the end of the year, the airline will have the capability to reach cities in China, Middle East and Southeast Asia
• As part of the international expansion, Kuala Lumpur, Male and Phuket will be the new destinations on IndiGo’s network