IndiGo starts international flights

IndiGo will begin international flights from September 1, starting with Dubai, Singapore and Bangkok at initial return fares of $223 (Dh821), intensifying competition with other Indian and overseas airlines on these busy and lucrative short-haul routes. The carrier also plans to start flights to Kathmandu and Muscat soon, Aditya Ghosh, president of India's largest budget airline by market share, told a news conference. "There is a huge potential for more and more Indian carriers to fly overseas," Ghosh said. "I don't see why people won't fly with us if we keep our costs low and fares low." Ghosh said international operations are expected to generate higher yields for IndiGo than those locally, while also saving on fuel expenses "as the cruise time is higher, which leads to higher efficiency." IndiGo was founded by Rahul Bhatia, managing director of travel conglomerate InterGlobe Enterprises, and Rakesh Gangwal, a former president of US Airways. IndiGo's nearest rival-SpiceJet Ltd., India's second-biggest budget carrier by market share-began overseas flights last October. Full-service carriers Jet Airways (India) Ltd., Kingfisher Airlines Ltd. and Air India Ltd. also operate international flights. Under government rules, an Indian carrier is eligible to start overseas flights only after completing five years of domestic operations and acquiring a fleet of 20 planes. IndiGo, which has 39 Airbus planes, will complete five years in August. The airline currently operates 259 daily flights to 26 destinations across India. Ghosh said daily flights from New Delhi to Dubai will start September 1, followed by Bangkok from September 8 and Singapore on September 15. Daily flights originating from Mumbai to Bangkok and Dubai will commence on October 2. "We will target high-density traffic international routes," he said, adding that the carrier will use a total of eight to nine planes for its international operations by March. From / Gulf News