After IndiGo, GoAir to fly A320Neos low

tower companies for airports where the facility is not readily available, said the second AAI official cited above.

The regional connectivity model is based on viability gap funding, under which 80% of the cost will be borne by the state government and the rest by the Centre. The subsidies will be offered for three years. Under the scheme, the fare for a one-hour journey of about 500km on a fixedwing aircraft or a 30-minute journey on a helicopter will be capped at ₹2,500, with proportionate pricing for routes of different lengths and duration.

In order to make operations on such routes financially viable, the central government will provide concessions in the form of reduced excise on value-added tax, or VAT, service tax and flexibility in code sharing at airports under the regional connectivity scheme.

NEWDELHI: Low-fare airline GoAir has started flying its five Airbus A320neo planes at a lower altitude to limit strain on the aircraft engine, a person aware of the matter said.

India’s largest airline IndiGo has also asked its pilots to fly the A320neo at 30,000 feet against the usual 36,000 feet, Mint first reported on 24 March. The directive followed engine maker Pratt & Whitney’s advice to avoid a possible glitch in the engine lubrication system. IndiGo, run by InterGlobe Aviation Ltd, is among the biggest users of A320neos.

Go Airlines (India) Ltd, which operates GoAir, has 24 planes, of which five are A320neos. Thirteen more A320neos are expected to join by March 2018.

“All the A320neos have been mandated to fly at the new altitude,” the person cited above said, on condition of anonymity.

At higher altitudes, air density is lower and the engine must work harder to develop the same thrust, increasing temperature. Lower altitude could help keep the temperatures down. However, flying lower in denser air consumes more fuel, another person familiar with the matter said.

GoAir has 139 more A320neos on order with Airbus.

A GoAir spokesperson declined to comment.