Air Kerala, a proposed regional carrier, is likely to obtain the clearances and may launch operations in the middle of April.
The domestic air traffic is controlled upto 80% extent by IndiGo, Jet Airways, SpiceJet and GoAir as members of the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), with Air India have left them a couple of months ago. FIA are lobbying against the withdrawal or amendment to the 5/20 Rule that the Civil Aviation Ministry may introduce as this will give an unfair advantage to both Vistara and Air Asia India.
It is a question of time before this change is brought about. In addition to Vistara and Air Asia India, a strong contender to support this move would come from Air Kerala when it begins its operation. Practically, every single family in Kerala has at least one member of the family working in the Middle East and the expatriate population of Keralites is the largest segment of Indians in the region. Air India will therefore face toughest competition from this new airline, which will start as a regional carrier, only to switch to Gulf flights at the first opportunity, when the rules are changed!
As was expected by the air travellers, the Tata-SIA partnered Vistara began its maiden flight on 9th January with its brand new A 320-200s with 148 passengers. It has three aircraft, which will expand to six by April. Presently the flights are from Mumbai, Ahmedabad and New Delhi.
Because of the wintry conditions in the next few weeks Vistara has plans to start its flight schedules to cover new destinations like Goa, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Pune and Guwahati. It may be remembered that Vistara is the only domestic airline that has 3 separate classes to meet the exacting needs of its customers.
29/01/15 moneylife
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The domestic air traffic is controlled upto 80% extent by IndiGo, Jet Airways, SpiceJet and GoAir as members of the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), with Air India have left them a couple of months ago. FIA are lobbying against the withdrawal or amendment to the 5/20 Rule that the Civil Aviation Ministry may introduce as this will give an unfair advantage to both Vistara and Air Asia India.
It is a question of time before this change is brought about. In addition to Vistara and Air Asia India, a strong contender to support this move would come from Air Kerala when it begins its operation. Practically, every single family in Kerala has at least one member of the family working in the Middle East and the expatriate population of Keralites is the largest segment of Indians in the region. Air India will therefore face toughest competition from this new airline, which will start as a regional carrier, only to switch to Gulf flights at the first opportunity, when the rules are changed!
As was expected by the air travellers, the Tata-SIA partnered Vistara began its maiden flight on 9th January with its brand new A 320-200s with 148 passengers. It has three aircraft, which will expand to six by April. Presently the flights are from Mumbai, Ahmedabad and New Delhi.
Because of the wintry conditions in the next few weeks Vistara has plans to start its flight schedules to cover new destinations like Goa, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Pune and Guwahati. It may be remembered that Vistara is the only domestic airline that has 3 separate classes to meet the exacting needs of its customers.
29/01/15 moneylife
