Low cost carrier SpiceJet is mulling to order around 10 new Boeing 737- 800 Long-range over and above the already existing order of 30 it has in place.
The low cost carrier SpiceJet hopes to break-even by March 2008, and is eyeing a fleet of 31 planes by 2011. SpiceJet swung to net profit in April-June quarter, but posted a net loss in the July-September quarter on account of the lean monsoon season.
SpiceJet plans to have 24 planes by April 2008, and targets 31 planes by 2011. At present, the airline has a fleet of 18 aircraft, by adding a Boeing 737-900 extended range in December last year. This was the second Boeing 737-900 ER for the airline after one it received after one it operationalised in November 2007.
The ER aircraft can seat 26 additional passengers and can be used on longer routes at a better fuel efficiency. By September 2008, Spicejet expects to have four more of such ER Aircraft with one to be delivered in February.
Singh said long haul planes could be used to fly the Middle East and Far East routes, when Spice gets permission to fly abroad. The airline is already preparing to fly abroad though according to present policy, it has to have at least five years domestic experience.
The airline has only completed two years of operations so far. Last year the airline’s market share grew from 6.9% market share in 2006 to 8.8% market share at the end of 2007. This makes it the fifth largest airline in terms of market share in the country.
The airline also kept a consistent seat factor for the year 2007 with an average load factor of around 72.6%. Seat factor or load factor for an airline is a percentage of the filled capacity of the airline as compared to the available capacity of that airline.