MUMBAI, Apr 16: Budget carrier SpiceJet Tuesday
said it plans to expand its regional jet fleet to 32 aircraft
by adding five more 90-seater Bombardier Q400s.
The move is aimed at augmenting capacity in the
domestic markets especially on regional routes, following
the near collapse of Jet Airways, which has resulted in
massive surge in air fares besides mismatch in demand and
supply amid peak travel season.
Three of these planes will join the fleet in the next
ten days while the remaining two will be inducted by June,
SpiceJet said in a statement.
The Gurugram-based no-frills carrier had last week
announced dry leasing of 16 Boeing 737-800 NG for the carrier.
“As part of our efforts to augment capacity and
minimise passenger inconvenience, SpiceJet will induct five
more Q400s in addition to the 16 B737s we announced last
week,” SpiceJet chairman and managing director Ajay Singh
said.
The sudden reduction of aviation capacity should in
no way hamper air connectivity to the smaller towns and cities
of India and as the country’s largest regional operator,
SpiceJet will make all possible efforts in this direction,
Singh said.
The 90-seater variant is part of SpiceJet’s second
purchase order for up to 50 Q400 turboprops placed in
September 2017 worth USD 1.7 billion.
Spicejet has already inducted five planes as part of
this order.
It also operates a 78-seater variant of the same
aircraft.
SpiceJet operates 516 average daily flights to 60
destinations, including 51 domestic and 9 international ones.
The airline has a fleet of 48 Boeing 737, 27
Bombardier Q-400s and one B737 freighter. (PTI)
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