IndiGo is quickly filling the gap left by the collapse of Jet Airways. The budget carrier is operating between India and Middle East and is in the process of acquiring Jet Airways’ slots within the region.
At its height Jet Airways controlled 33% of the market share in the region, while Indian and Middle Eastern carriers shared the rest. Now, IndiGo has announced that it has 237 flights scheduled flights to the Middle East starting from July.
With a fleet of 235 aircraft, IndiGo calls itself “the fastest growing airline in the world” and recorded a 44% increase from revenue operators for the second quarter compared with the same period last year.
IndiGO CCO William Boulter confirmed to AIN a focus on expanding to the Middle East as part of the airline’s growth strategy and the positive effect of Jet Airways’ failure on profits this quarter. IndiGo has already been granted additional rights to fly to Kuwait and Jeddah. “Jeddah, being the commercial capital and the gateway for the Haj:Dammam, being the growth centre in Saudi Arabia; and Abu Dhabi in UAE, which are critical markets for strengthening our presence in the Middle East,” stated Boulter.
The collapse of Jet Airways brought with it a sizable loss in capacity between India and the Middle East, which is currently experiencing a massive demand. This has resulted in fares being increased and airlines trying to establish additional new routes in the region. “We have observed a rise in competition with a number of airlines entering the Middle Eastern market,” confirmed Boulter.
With demand high, capacity reduced at present, many observes believe that a potential airline fare war may just be a matter of weeks away.
