GoAir plans code-shares on international routes
GoAir will enter into codeshare agreements with foreign airlines for its overseas routes, its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Cornelis Vrieswijk said on Thursday.
The Wadia group-owned airline has announced its maiden international flights to Phuket and Male from Mumbai and Delhi from October. Plans are underway to connect Bengaluru with these two destinations. “We are looking at code shares to get passenger feed from foreign airlines on our international routes,” he said. Currently, GoAir has 36 Airbus A320 planes in its fleet, including 19 A320Neos. It will induct 13 A320Neo planes by December end.
The firm’s network expansion has been affected because of the ongoing technical problem with its engines. According to a Bloomberg report, the latest issue, which is affecting them is excessive vibration. Manufacturer Pratt & Whitney (PW) is probing the complaints. Two of GoAir's 19 A320- Neo planes are grounded as it awaits replacement engines.
Vrieswijk said the airline was in discussions with Airbus and PW for compensation. The airline has 144 A320Neos on order and has selected PW engines for 72 planes. He said the airline was studying the performance of both PW and CFM engines and was not in hurry to finalise engine order for the remainder order book.
“Oil and currency are hurting business significantly and costs have gone up. We are looking to optimise network and improve crew utilisation,” the CEO said.