GoAir rushes in where other Indian carriers fear to tread

To fly to Iran, Kuwait, Uzbekistan, 11 other countries

NEWDELHI: GoAir, which is about to become the fourth private airline from the country to operate overseas flights has chosen to start with Iran, Kuwait, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Turkey, countries to which no Indian carrier flies because they are not popular tourist hubs.

The Wadia group-owned budget airline, which has sought government approval for the purpose, is likely to start international services to 14 countries by early next year.

These will also include China, Thailand, Maldives, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Oman, Qatar and the UAE.

The Mumbai-based carrier wants to begin international operations from the next summer schedule. Flying rights are granted by the government twice

THE MUMBAIBASED GOAIR WANTS TO BEGIN INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS IN MARCH NEXT YEAR

a year — for the summer and winter schedules.

The summer schedule begins from the last Sunday of March and extends up to the last Saturday of October.

“We are requesting to be designated to fly to the countries mentioned on a scheduled basis during the summer schedule 2017. Extensive evaluations have been conducted to arrive at a phasewise plan for implementation,” GoAir chief executive officer Wolfgang Prock-Schauer wrote to the ministry.

“We require allocations for proper planning and hence, we request the ministry for early approval,” the letter said.

GoAir submitted a detailed plan to the aviation ministry on June 23, a copy of which is available with HT.

The airline did not respond to HT’s requests for comments for the story.

Among the four low-cost airlines — SpiceJet, IndiGo, GoAir and AirAsia India — operating in the country, only the first two fly to international locations, including the Gulf, Southeast Asia and SAARC regions.

Naresh Goyal-led Jet Airways, which is a private full-service carrier, also flies to overseas locations.

GoAir, which received its 20th aircraft, an Airbus A320 Neo, last month, is the fifth-biggest Indian carrier with a marketshare of 8.1%. The airline launched domestic operations in November 2005.