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Airlines Vie for IndiGo's Reduced Slots
11 Dec
Summary
- Aviation ministry directs IndiGo to cut 10% of its schedule.
- Rival airlines may gain temporary access to IndiGo's flight slots.
- Akasa Air and Air India Express expect new Boeing 737 Max deliveries.
India's aviation landscape is experiencing a shift as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation mandates IndiGo to reduce its flight schedule by 10%. This directive is prompting rival carriers, including Akasa Air and Air India Express, to outline their fleet and network plans. These airlines are poised to receive new Boeing 737 Max aircraft deliveries in the near future, impacting their operational strategies.
Akasa Air and Air India Express are expected to proceed with their planned aircraft inductions, rather than seeking additional leased planes. Akasa Air will utilize its new aircraft for operations at Navi Mumbai and Jewar airports. Air India Express, while planning for a larger fleet of Max aircraft, may adjust its induction pace based on the duration of IndiGo's schedule reduction.
Other carriers like Air India and SpiceJet are also communicating their expansion roadmaps to the regulator. Air India is progressing with its fleet overhaul, while SpiceJet is actively increasing its flight capacity. The potential for rivals to claim IndiGo's slots hinges on spare capacity, which could lead to increased fares if not mitigated.
