With newer carriers focussing on overseas operations after the government relaxed 5/20 norms, leading Indian carrier, IndiGo that has traditionally focussed on domestic operations, is now eyeing on increasing foreign operations, especially to Gulf nations.
The airline is exploring for more flying slots to different Gulf nations with the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), according to a top government official.
A senior airline official said as other newer carriers like AirAsia India, Vistara and GoAir are gearing up for overseas operations, IndiGo does not want to lag behind and so is exploring the best way out remain at the top.
The budget carrier owns over 40% of India’s domestic aviation market share and will add at least 18 more narrow-bodied planes to its current fleet of 122 aircraft by March 2017.
The airline has placed an order for 430 fuel efficient A320neo aircraft, which would add to its fleet in phases. Airline sources said with this big number of deliveries the carrier cannot limit its operations within India.
”It cannot fly to far Europe, United States or Australia. And so their best bet is Gulf and south Asian destinations. This is where they are focussing...” said an official.
The government in the New Civil Aviation Policy announced on June 15 this year relaxed 5/20 norms (mandatory five years and 20 aircraft mandatory norm for any Indian carrier to fly overseas). Now Indian carriers need to have only 20 aircraft to fly overseas.
Sources also said as airlines are not finding more slots on existing domestic routes at major airports due to infrastructure constraints or like in Delhi and Mumbai airports besides lack of preferable time schedule, is forcing airlines to fly to foreign destinations. Indian carriers have complained to MoCA about non-availability of preferred time slots at airports in Gulf countries, owing to which they are unable to fill in more passengers flying in and out of various Gulf destinations.
"Airlines are adding more aircraft to their fleet, but due to capacity restraints at existing metro airports, airlines want to fly to overseas and amongst them, Gulf and some south Asian destinations are the favourites for them," said an airline official who did not wish to be named.
The airline has added 29.71 per cent more flight during the winter schedule this year from the last year.
Sources indicated that IndiGo is also looking for code-sharing or interline arrangements with foreign airlines to offer their passengers seamless connectivity within India.
IndiGo currently does not get any traffic from other airlines, which also restricts its passenger expansion for its international operations.
Unlike full-service airlines, like Air India, Jet Airways and other foreign carriers, IndiGo does not have commercial partnerships like interline or code-sharing with other airlines.
Additionally, it is also not a part of the International Air Transport Association's agency which is involved in billing settlement.
With its fleet of 122 Airbus, A320 aircraft, the airline operates 883 daily flights connecting 41 domestic destinations besides five international destinations to Dubai, Muscat, Kathmandu, Singapore and Bangkok.