The latest entrant in the low-fare domestic airlines business, IndiGo, is all set to widen its footprint in south India. | |
| After consolidating in Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai, it will look at the growing to tier II cities in the south. In the first phase, it will link Mumbai and New Delhi with the southern cities. |
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| Bruce Ashby, president and CEO, IndiGo, said: "Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad are emerging business counters and are important cities for IndiGo." Ashby sees the southern part of the country as a major tourist destination. |
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| "We are confident that the demand from these tourists for airlines that are affordable, run on time and take the hassles out of travel will remain high." |
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| "There is plenty of demand for low-fare air travel in the country, despite a lot of commentary on airport infrastructure and relatively little supply of low-fare seats. As we continue to add new A-320 aircraft to our fleet each month this year, we will keep improving connectivity between the cities we serve and add new IndiGo destinations to our network," said Ashby. |
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| While promising affordable and hassle-free travel experience, the airline promises gimmick-free fares. |
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| "The airline will have professional, knowledgeable employees who will ensure minimal red-tape," he said. |
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| Ashby was executive vice-president (marketing and planning) for US Airways and was responsible for the airline's revenue generation and the operations of the US Airways Express division. |
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| Ashby is optimistic about the prospects of LCCs. He believes there is much greater potential for growth and that only a miniscule number of the potential passengers are flying today and hence there is a bigger market waiting to be tapped. |
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| In all, India has only five low-fare airlines while the US has 25. And, the biggest low-fare airline South West Airways alone has 450 aircraft, with the second biggest US low-fare airline having 356. |
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| IndiGo plans to have a fleet of 40 A-320s by 2010. It took delivery of its third new A-320 aircraft on September 28 and will add the fourth one this week. |
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| By the end of 2006, the airline hopes to have carried 4,75,000 passengers with six airplanes. Nine more aircraft will be added in 2007 and by December 2007, IndiGo's fleet will comprise 15 aircraft. |
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