Kingfisher shifts focus to domestic sector

With IndiGo set to replace Kingfisher Airlines as the second-largest airline in the country, in terms of the number of passengers, Kingfisher is planning to focus more on the domestic sector. “Our focus is more on increasing our domestic presence and network. Also, our domestic passenger numbers are set to increase after we join the One World Alliance by the end of this calendar year,” said Kingfisher Airlines Chief Executive Officer, Sanjay Aggarwal. He added that the carrier has no major plans for international expansion.

The Oneworld Alliance, with 11 airlines in its fold, covers 870 destinations across 146 countries through a network of over 9,300 daily flights. The alliance also carries 335 million passengers on a combined fleet of over 2,400 aircraft. In December, IndiGo recorded a market share of 18.6 per cent, which was also Kingfisher's market share.

Kingfisher Airlines has decided to more-than-double its fleet size, from 66 to 137 aircraft by 2015-16. In the next financial year, Kingfisher plans to add nine more aircraft — six A320s, two A330s and one ATR. Of these, eight will come directly from the market. The carrier plans to add 14 aircraft in 2012-13, 20 in 2013-14, 16 in 2014-15 and 13 in 2015-16.

IndiGo will add 14 aircraft in 2011, which will increase its fleet size from 34 to 48 aircraft. A few of these aircraft will also be used for international operations. The airline is set to start its international operations from August. “We will add 14 aircraft in the current calendar year. A few of these aircraft will also go for international operations. In the international sector, our focus will be more on West Asia and the Southeast Asian sector,” said IndiGo President, Aditya Ghosh. The carrier has already secured the approval to start operating flights on the Singapore, Bangkok, Dubai and Muscat routes from several Indian cities.