SpiceJet launches flights for Rs 99
IANS[ TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2005 06:24:12 PM ]
NEW DELHI: India's growing budget air travel market spiced up on Tuesday with
the
launch of low cost carrier SpiceJet, which begins operating on domestic routes
next
week with a debut price of Rs 99.
With a fleet of three Boeing 737-800 aircraft and an initial investment of $25
million, SpiceJet will operate its first flight on Monday on the
Delhi-Ahmedabad-Mumbai route.
On May 27, the airline will fly to Goa and on June 13, to Pune and Bangalore.
"We see ourselves taking train traffic and putting it in air, creating a new
market
for seniors, students, leisure and train travellers," said SpiceJet CEO Mark
Winders.
Some 30 pilots are on board the new budget operator.
"Right now we are only looking at the domestic market. We are offering
one-and-a-half to two-hour flights as an alternative to train journeys of more
than
six hours."
He said by January 2006, the airline would have 10 brand new aircraft. "We see
ourselves with a fleet of 20-30 airplanes eventually."
The company aims to issue convertible bonds in June to raise $90 million for its
fleet expansion plans.
Within hours of its online booking facilities opening at 0600 IST. Tuesday, the
airline had registered 5,000 bookings.
Winders said to celebrate the launch of the airline, SpiceJet would offer over
30,000 "Red Hot Special Fares" starting at Rs 99 for the first 99 days of its
operation.
These fares would also be available at Rs 499 and Rs 799. Over 9,000 seats
would be
available under the introductory offer and all flights would offer between five
to
10 seats daily at low prices.
The airline offers a single class in all its 189-seater planes, with
complementary
snacks and water.
Initial destinations include Delhi, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Goa, Bangalore and Pune.
"It is not just the price, but what we offer at that price and our commitment to
high quality service that will differentiate and position SpiceJet," Winders
asserted.
Company director Ajay Singh said SpiceJet, a reincarnate of ModiLuft, was 20 per
cent owned by foreign institutional investors and other institutions such as
Citibank, ABN Amro and Goldman Sachs.
Royal Holdings Services Limited, a Nevada-based company, has a major stake in
SpiceJet.
SOURCE: TOI
find more on spicejet.com
for NRI related info...
http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/GOAN-NRI/
for SFX Expo & cheap Goa flights info..
http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/LetsGotoGoa/
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