Following the DGCA’s decision to allow unbundling of check-in baggage, low fare carrier SpiceJet has introduced an ultra-low fare of just Rs 999 ($16) which only allows for hand baggage. These fares which compete head-on with 2AC train fares are valid for booking till April 29, 2015, for travel from July 1 to October 15. The airline says it is …
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India’s newest airline, Air Pegasus will commence operations today with its inaugural flight between Bangalore and Hubballi. Indian civil aviation minister, Ashok Gajapati Raju, is inaugurating flight OP111 which will depart Bangalore at 10:30. Air Pegasus will join Gurgaon based SpiceJet on this popular business route. Bangalore Aviation team member Vedant will bring you updates from the venue and the …
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Fellow aviation geeks alert. Budget carrier SpiceJet is selling special limited edition scale models of its Boeing 737-800 VT-SZK, something sure to be of interest to dedicated model collectors like me. This is the first time I have seen an Indian airline selling these high quality models. VT-SZK is Red Chilli the airline’s flagship aircraft wearing the special ‘with all …
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A Spicejet Bombardier Q400 operating flight SG1085 from Bangalore to Hubli had a runway excursion on landing at Hubli Airport. The aircraft which was carrying 78 passengers and crew had landed on the runway at around 19.10 local and when it veered off the runway and came to a halt with the left main landing gear collapsed. The aircraft was …
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One of the most regressive pieces of Indian civil aviation policy, the ‘5/20 rule‘ requires Indian carriers to fly for a minimum of five years and have a fleet of 20 aircraft before they can operate overseas routes, while allowing foreign carriers to operate to India, unhindered by any such norms. With implications on competitiveness, airline networks and aircraft utilisation, …
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In a bold move national carrier Air India has put errant employees and vendors who delay flights on notice. The airline will deduct salaries of employees and caterers found responsible for delays of flights. The Maharaja which has one of the worst one-time performance (OTP) records amongst Indian carriers, has been instructed by the top bureaucrat in the civil aviation …
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A SpiceJet spokesperson has confirmed that its year old passenger inter-line agreement with Singapore based low cost carrier TigerAir has been “terminated based on mutual decision [since SpiceJet’s] network changes made it no longer commercially worth doing.” As per reports in The Business Standard and The Economic Times, Tiger had terminated the agreement due to SpiceJet’s “non-performance”. The financially troubled …
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Keeping in line with the weak economic growth in India, domestic air passenger traffic grew a tepid 9.7% during 2014. In 2013 61.426 million passengers travelled, which grew to 67.383 million. Monthly data and info-graphics December is the peak month for travel in India, both international and domestic. As the stacked monthly graph shows, in December 6.44 million (64.4 lakhs) …
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The announcement at the Bombay stock exchange by SpiceJet Ltd. says it all. Spicejet Ltd has informed BSE that the Board of Directors of the Company at its meeting held on January 15, 2015, inter-alia, has taken on record the proposal of the principal shareholder and Promoter, Mr. Kalanithi Maran and KAL Airways Private Limited to transfer the ownership, management …
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SpiceJet has seen challenging times over the past 5 years. While numerous reasons can be cited for this ranging from network structure, fleet decisions, competition, ability to command a premium, management churn, market weakness and overall brand strength, the financial position of the airline as of today is quite challenging. Much is being reported about the possible funds infusion and/or …
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The Indian skies are fairly busy. With seven airlines operating, one about to launch services, one in a bit of a challenge and six airline licenses granted by the Ministry of Civil aviation, increased competition is inevitable. Yet, if one looks at profitability, there is only one airline that has been consistently profitable. Which begs the question, are all the …
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The last week has seen a flurry of reports on the troubles of Spicejet. Some accurate, some totally wrong, and many with a mixture of half truths that create more confusion, rather than inform the reader. Amid the media frenzy, the airline has issued three statements to clarify the situation from its point of view. Spicejet statement issued December 5, …
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While SpiceJet’s chief operating officer Sanjiv Kapoor claims that recapitalisation is the final step of the turn-around process at the airline, there is little doubt SpiceJet desperately needs funds to continue its turn around. Aviation consultancy firm CAPA estimates around Rs 1,500 crore at the minimum. Why is this need for recapitalisation at this stage, and what benefits will it …
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SpiceJet is very close to finding a solution to its distressed cash position. I estimate the airline should get funding within the next 30 days, and would not be surprised if something is announced within the coming fortnight. The clues to this conclusion come from the actions of the airline, its second quarter results and the public statements of the …
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For the better part of this year, India has suffered the ignominy of being one of only 11 countries relegated to Category 2 status by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as its safety oversight regime did not meet international standards. The relegation dealt a serious dent in the operations of India’s airlines by a freeze on their US …
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A SpiceJet Boeing 737-800(WL) registration VT-SGK ‘Garlic’ performing flight SG-622 from Surat, Gujarat to New Delhi, on November 6, with 140 passengers and six crew on-board, while on its take-off run on runway 04, struck a buffalo which had strayed on to the runway. The plane impacted the animal at approximately 80 knots speed. The aircraft suffered extensive damage to …
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Last evening a little before 6pm, our family received devastating news that the matriarch of our family passed away in New Delhi. Naturally the family elders, my aged mother included, had to rush from Bangalore to New Delhi. Getting anywhere in Bangalore during evening rush hour is difficult, all the way from south Bangalore (Koramangala) to the airport is a …
Read More »Gurgaon based low fare carrier SpiceJet has announced yet another sale. This is for flights from select cities, Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata. Fares commence at Rs. 1,999 all inclusive and tickets need to be purchased till September 16, 2014. The travel period is from October 7, 2014 to January 15, 2015 and the usual terms and conditions …
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Kudos to all the airlines of India for yeoman’s service to the thousands of victims stranded by floods in the ravaged state of Jammu and Kashmir. The airport at Srinagar has been cut-off from the city by the rising waters, and much of the machinery is non-functional. Airline staffers are preparing hundreds of boarding passes by hand to return the …
Read More »As an incentive to passengers who pre-book their in-flight meals, budget carrier SpiceJet will serve them first, before commencing general meal and drinks sales service in flight. Pre-booking enables an airline to better prepare meals for a flight thus improving availability and reducing wastage. Many airlines, including competitor IndiGo already adopt this practice. SpiceJet also offers a lower price for …
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Bangalore Aviation News, Reviews, Analysis and opinions of Indian Aviation