SpiceJet to rejig operations

Move comes at a time when competition is expected to increase in the low cost segment

Low-cost airline SpiceJet is planning to rearrange its operations with more leg room for its premium customers and a new food menu apart from a few additions and omissions in its domestic and international routes.

The move comes at a time when the competition in the segment is expected to increase with new players joining the market in the near future.

The company announced it would remove Puducherry, Trichy and Allahabad stations from its network, as part of scheduling its destinations.

It is adding new international destinations, including Hong Kong and Dhaka, while it would be discontinuing its Pune-Bangkok, Varanasi-Sharjah and Delhi-Guangzhou flights. As per the new schedule, Sharjah will continue to be served from Pune and Lucknow; Bangkok from Bangalore. Guangzhou will be served from Kolkata, along with Hong Kong.

It has also announced plans earlier to build on the interline alliance with Tigerair by adding new cities to the existing footprint.

The revised schedule will fully deploy SpiceJet’s fleet of 42 Boeing and 15 Q400 aircraft, and will result in further growth for the airline.

“With all of the changes being put into place, SpiceJet is working towards a reinvigorated airline that will see a complete product, service, operational, and performance turnaround in 2014, while increasing its network and service offering to more passengers in India and abroad,” said the company.

On the product front, Spice has announced the launch of new and enhanced products and services, including SpiceMAX, a priority handling product for premium passengers besides enhanced 10 kg hand baggage allowance.

It would also launch a cabin refresh programme shortly.