IndiGo Airlines to start flights from Nagpur

BY A CORRESPONDENT
May 3, 2006
InterGlobe subsidiary IndiGo Airlines will follow state-owned Indian's example in starting services from Nagpur, according to a Business Standard report. The airline has already procured space at the Nagpur Airport's terminal building as well as engineering section, as well as for a ticketing office, two check-in counters, and an engineering office, and only awaits a pending decision on space for a backup office.

The Delhi-based IndiGo Airlines is aiming to land its first aircraft by end June, and will commence operations from then. According to the report, "Once the aircraft arrives, flight sectors and their schedules will be finalised."

Formalities are not yet over however, with the AAI still debating on IndiGo's request that two parking bays be allotted for overnight parking. The airport authorities will have to consider several issues including payment for facilities at the airport, security deposit, and so on.

Although Jeh Wadia-headed GoAir had shown interest in the airport's infrastrucure, no formal proposal had been forwarded. Therefore, the AAI is keen to double check IndiGo's intentions before finalising the parking area allotments.

The airline had planned to commence operations in February itself, but various reasons had led to a postponement. The leading travel conglomerate already has three parking slots in the Delhi and Mumbai airports. The low-cost airline is backed by Rahul Gangwal, with Rahul Bhatia as its managing director, and, according to the report, has confirmed that it will keep its fares competitive, at 40 per cent lower than full service carriers.