News
SpiceJet adds MAXs, GoAir firms neos and Air India introduces women-only rows
January 20th 2017
Gurgaon-based low-cost carrier (LCC), SpiceJet. last week signed a top-up order with Boeing for 100 B737 MAX 8s and 50 purchase rights. The confirmed order is in addition to the 55 B737 MAX 8s already on Boeing’s books from the carrier. Read More »
The budget operator under the leadership of chairman and managing director, Ajay Singh, has been flying new-generation B737s since 2005. It has a Boeing fleet of 23 -800s, four -900ERs and two -700s.
In more SpiceJet news, the Times of India has reported the airline signed for B787 options when it committed to the B737 deal. According to the newspaper, it planned to use the Dreamliners for long-haul budget services, but initially will lease B787s to test the market before firming the options.
Also last week, SpiceJet rival, GoAir, firmed up a contract for 72 A320neos following a Memorandum of Understanding signed at the Farnborough International Air Show last July. The agreement doubles GoAir's firm order book for the aircraft type to 144. In June, GoAir became the second Indian carrier, following IndiGo Airlines, to operate the neo and in September became the first airline to operate a neo in the 186-seat Spaceflex configuration.
Separately, Indian flag carrier, Air India, this week made the headlines when it began offering “women-only” rows across its domestic network following several sexual misconduct cases on-board its aircraft involving male passengers harassing women.
The Star Alliance member will reserve six seats on each flight exclusively for women. For now this applied to domestic routes but an extension to international services is planned.
Air India this week said the first of its 14 incoming A320neos would be delayed by a month to February because of unspecified CFM engine issues. Air India and Kuwaiti lessor, ALAFCO, signed an agreement last March for 14 neos with deliveries from this month to 2018.
Air India subsidiary, Alliance Air, this week became an all ATR operator after phasing out its last Bombardier CRJ-700. The airline operates eight ATR72-600s and two ATR42-300s.
