Neelam Mathews

The arrival of new aircraft technology, emergence of new business models, and the increasing ambition of India’s budget carriers appear likely to lead to a new wave of expansion on international long-haul routes. As India’s outbound leisure traffic grows following demand of the fast-growing middle class, budget carriers SpiceJet and IndiGo have begun preparing to fly long haul. Plans for widebody aircraft could come soon.

 


According to Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA), SpiceJet and IndiGo will probably launch their first European long-haul flights to London Gatwick. SpiceJet chairman Ajay Singh confirmed at the recent Wings airshow in Hyderabad that his airline will introduce low-cost, long-haul flights “as early as this winter.” A government official told AIN that the carrier is looking at flying to the U.S.

 


According to a CAPA report, by 2025 Indian budget carriers will operate approximately 40 widebody aircraft, adding 2 million annual outbound passengers to destinations such as New York and Sydney.&nbsp;

 


India has seen international passenger traffic grow over the last five years at a compound annual growth rate of 8.6 percent, what a joint CAPA India and Expedia report released in February called “the inflection point for India outbound travel.”

 


“We lack a direct low-cost alternative,” said minister of state for civil aviation Jayant Sinha. “But that will depend upon how fast airlines are able to expand their fleet and how airports work at improving constrained infrastructure. We lack a direct low-cost alternative to Europe and the U.S. West Coast. International traffic growth from India will be tremendously boosted if low-cost carriers start providing connectivity to Europe.”&nbsp;

 


Apart from widebody services to Europe, Australia, and the U.S., CAPA said Indian airlines will likely take advantage of new market opportunities for non-stop routes between India to Hong Kong, Phuket, Manila, and Hanoi, having placed orders for nearly 800 Airbus A320neos and Boeing 737 Max jets. IndiGo, which recently announced it had withdrawn interest in Air India’s disinvestment, operates 166 A320Ceos and Neos and has placed orders for 400 more. Widebody options for it include the A330-800neo for 2019 and/or the A350-800, scheduled for first delivery in 2021. In a conference call with analysts, IndiGo’s co-promoter, Rakesh Gangwal, called the airline “well placed to ferry long-haul international passengers in a low-cost model.”

 


“If there is any market where low-cost, long-haul can work it is India," said CAPA India CEO Kapil Kaul. He added that India’s location and a large order for new long-range narrowbody jets would provide the momentum.

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

Indian Budget Carriers Hold Long-haul Aspirations

SpiceJet, IndiGo considering widebody orders

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Agreement between start-ups could lead to orders for up to 15 aircraft

Skyhop Plans Island Routes With Noemi's Electric Seaplane

Howard Hardee

Airline plans to gradually replace its Embraer E-Jet fleet

A220’s Performance Drives BermudAir’s Fleet Growth

Partners say eVTOLs could accelerate response times in crowded Indian cities

Air India Backs SkyDrive Emergency Medical eVTOL Plans

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Rival Boeing arguably claimed bragging rights at the Farnborough International show

Airbus Balances Shareholder Returns and New Aircraft

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

Connections to London Heathrow and Manchester airports will start first

Virgin Firms Up eVTOL Air Taxi Alliance with Joby

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

More In Airlines

Skyhop Plans Island Routes With Noemi's Electric Seaplane

Agreement between start-ups could lead to orders for up to 15 aircraft

A220’s Performance Drives BermudAir’s Fleet Growth

Airline plans to gradually replace its Embraer E-Jet fleet

Air India Backs SkyDrive Emergency Medical eVTOL Plans

Partners say eVTOLs could accelerate response times in crowded Indian cities

Airbus Balances Shareholder Returns and New Aircraft

Rival Boeing arguably claimed bragging rights at the Farnborough International show

Virgin Firms Up eVTOL Air Taxi Alliance with Joby

Connections to London Heathrow and Manchester airports will start first

ATR Chases New Regional Markets for Twin Turboprops

Iran war and wider geopolitical pressure stall buying decisions

Embraer Racks Up E-Jet Orders at Farnborough

30 firm orders led by Abra

Gulf Air May Buy JetZero’s Blended-wing-body Z4

Japan Airlines also expresses interest at Farnborough Airshow

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN