News
GoAir awarded maiden international routes, Emirates offers $7,000 compensation per passenger
August 19th 2016
Mumbai-headquartered budget carrier GoAir has been awarded its first international traffic rights. Read More » The LCC led by Wolfgang Prock-Schauer has the green light for daily services from Delhi or Mumbai to Tehran, Guangzhou or Kunming, Ho Chi Minh and Male, as well as four weekly rights to Tashkent and three weekly flights to Baku.
This is in addition to permits for daily operations from Kochi to Doha and Dammam.
GoAir has a fleet of 21 A320s, including two neos. It has another 142 neos on order.
India’s other burgeoning carriers are expected to be granted international traffic rights later this year after the Modi government in June relaxed the 5/20 rule, which eased restrictions on international flights for airlines in business for less than five years.
In other India updates, The Hindu has reported that Air Costa’s top management travelled to Doha to negotiate an equity deal with Qatar Airways. The Vijayawada-headquartered domestic carrier is reportedly looking to sell a 26% stake to the Qataris, “but could settle for more if the price is right”.
Air Costa launched operations in late 2013. It has a leased fleet of four E190s, with 25 E190-E2s and 25 E195-E2s on firm order from Embraer.
Qatar Airways had previously declared an interest in investing in IndiGo Airlines, but the latter said it was not ready for an equity sale.
In related news, Dubai’s Emirates Airline has offered $7,000 in compensation to each passenger involved in the August 3 crash landing of EK521 inbound from Thiruvananthapuram. Of the $7,000, passengers have been informed that $2,000 is in respect of loss of luggage and personal effects and $5,000 is for any other damages suffered as a result of the accident, plus a full refund of the ticket.
Following the accident, Emirates president, Sir Tim Clark, said: "In the hours that followed this incident, I have been extremely touched by the remarkable stories from many of you, our crew members, first responders, colleagues and well-wishers worldwide. There has been one common theme: resilience. Emirates has been tested and, by virtue of your strength and determination, and the extraordinary bravery of all concerned, I'm confident we will emerge stronger together."
