IndiGo gets govt nod to launch international operations

The airline, which bagged the second position after Jet Airways in terms of the number of passengers, got permission for launching international operations from the forthcoming summer schedule, which begins in April and continues till October-November.

An airline spokesperson said today that the flights would be operated from several Indian cities to Singapore, Bangkok, Dubai and Muscat.

However, "the schedules and dates for the launch of these international services will be announced in the coming months", she added.

The criteria for permission to launch international operations is that the airline should complete five years of domestic operations and have a 20-aircraft fleet.

Sources said the first global flight would be launched as soon as IndiGo completes five years of domestic operations in August this year and added that it could also be matched with the fifth anniversary celebration.

Preparations are on in full swing, they said. A company statement said, "IndiGo is delighted to receive these important traffic rights and is grateful to the Ministry of Civil Aviation for approving its application in a timely manner."

With its fleet of 34 new Airbus A-320 aircraft, the airline, which now has a market share of 18.6 per cent that is more than Air India's and matches that of Kingfisher, offers 221 daily flights connecting 24 destinations.

The airline was recently in spotlight when it placed the world's largest aircraft order of 150 planes with European manufacturer Airbus. A year before beginning operations in 2008, it had also placed the biggest order of 100 aircraft from the same manufacturer.