SpiceJet to start international operations next month

SpiceJet, India’s second-largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in terms of market share, today announced the commencement of its international operations, with its first flights to Kathmandu and Colombo ready to take off in four weeks.

SpiceJet will flag off its first international flight from Delhi to Nepal’s capital Kathmandu on October 7, followed by flights from Chennai to Colombo in Sri Lanka on October 9.

A carrier can fly international only after it completes five years of operations and has a fleet of 20 aircraft. IndiGo will be eligible to fly abroad next year. While IndiGo, the largest LCC, has a market share of 16.9 per cent, SpiceJet has 13.2 per cent, according to data provided by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

Base price of tickets on the Chennai-Colombo route will be Rs 999 and for the New Delhi-Kathmandu route, Rs 1,499. SpiceJet will use Boeing 737-800, aircraft with a seating capacity of 189 passengers on the routes.

“Since the inception of SpiceJet, our goal has been to identify the needs of our passengers and try to fill gaps in connectivity. Driven by the confidence vested in us by our stakeholders and their encouragement over the past five years, we are now excited to begin this new chapter in the success story of SpiceJet,” said director Kishore Gupta.

The carrier said it planned to operate a daily return flight on the Chennai-Colombo route, while there would be six return flights a week on the New Delhi-Kathmandu route.

“Connecting Colombo and Kathmandu from India strengthens our relationship and enables passengers to explore these destinations of choice at the most fascinating fares. We are delighted to welcome Colombo and Kathmandu as a part of our new global network, and look forward to extending our hospitality to our passengers in this new phase of growth,” said Samyukth Sridharan, chief commercial officer, SpiceJet.