For private domestic carrier IndiGo, it may come as a bit of a dampener as the civil aviation ministry has decided to ?wait and watch? before relaxing norms enabling domestic carriers to fly abroad. IndiGo, which has been holding behind-the-door consultations with the ministry on the matter, has so far received a lukewarm response for its proposal to commence international flights by relaxing current norms. The airline has significantly improved its performance in the domestic skies, wresting almost 14 per cent market share in 2009, highest among low-cost carriers.
Seeing the bloodbath that Indian airlines witnessed in the recent past and soaring losses, a senior ministry official said, ?At this point, we can not relax the international flying norms. That will ring a death knell for the present operators.? Kingfisher Airlines posted losses to the tune of Rs 419 crore during third quarter of 2009-10 largely on account of international flying; the airlines had shut down its Bangalore-London route last year.
Jet Airways too undertook restructuring of its routes following losses last year. Similarly state-owned carrier Air India battling Rs 5,000 crore losses cut down several unprofitable international routes.
Airlines are required maintain a minimum fleet of 20 aircraft and gain five years flying experience domestically before flying into the international sector. IndiGo that will turn four in August this year, has recently sought ministry?s permission to import 10 new aircraft. The decision on the matter is pending as the empowered committee on aircraft acquisitions is yet to meet on the issue and give its assent.
Waiting in the wings is another no-frills carrier, SpiceJet that will complete five years of domestic this March.
Spice Jet is likely to add another aircraft to its fleet of 19 to undertake flying abroad. Turning five this year, Chennai-headquartered Paramount Airways too had expressed its interest in flying internationally but falls short by at least 15 aircraft. On the other hand, GoAir that completes five years of flying in India and operates eight aircraft has not made public any plans to fly on the international sector.