IndiGo's regional connectivity plan to skip unserved routes

Cost reduction has prompted IndiGo's choice of the ATR72-6

IndiGo appears to have tweaked its strategy to run on a single-aircraft configuration (A320) in order to prune its costs. But it is replicating its time-tested model to enter regional routes through the launch of its 24 non-stop ATR flights on December 21.

Unlike its rivals that are leveraging the government’s regional connectivity scheme (RCS) by flying into unserved and underserved markets and building them from scratch, IndiGo is flying its ATRs to cities that are well connected by air and have a running airport.

Under the RCS, the winning bidders for a route are provided subsidy and three-year exclusivity in return