With troubled Kingfisher Airlines pulling out its flights from the domestic network rival carriers IndiGo and SpiceJet are looking to cash in on preferential departure timings. The low-cost airlines have filed fresh application with aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for slots they want to use in the on-going winter schedule.
The DGCA officials met senior airline executives and representatives of airport operators on Wednesday to discuss the issue of unutilised slots. The regulator has asked all the airport operators to report on pending request of all the airlines for starting new flights and their timings.
Official sources said Kingfisher Airlines has indicated it would not use almost 50% of its approved 418 slots for the ensuing winter season. “Once the unutilised slots are freed the regulator would re-allocate them. It’s in the interest of airport operators, too, as they would be then able to maximise the use of their resources,” an airline executive, who attend the Wednesday meeting, said.
