IndiGo, the Indian low-cost carrier, has announced seven new flights in its domestic market, further asserting its hold as the dominant Indian domestic carrier.
The Path of Rapid Expansion
IndiGo has announced a series of new flights in its domestic market.
There are three new domestic routes from western India between May to October 2023. The airline has commenced daily direct operations between Mumbai and Bhubaneswar from 19 May 2023 and between Ahmedabad and Srinagar from 11 August 2023.
The carrier will also resume operations between Mumbai and Port Blair from 01 October 2023. This is to add further flights in the leisure travel season for Andamans.
These flights are designed to strengthen domestic connectivity for the airline and to improve links between the commercial capitals of Gujarat and Maharashtra.
Mr. Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales, IndiGo said, “The Indian aviation industry is on the path of a rapid expansion, and our endeavor is to continue to fulfil this demand by adding new routes to our network.”
“We are announcing 3 domestic routes from western India. These new routes will help in building connections and provide ease of accessibility to key tourist destinations including Srinagar and Andaman & Nicobar Islands, during the upcoming tourist season and also the Amarnath yatra.”
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It has also announced flights from North Goa to Patna, Bhopal, Vadodara, and Dehradun, to start from 22 May 2023. It will also connect North Goa to Ranchi via Patna, from 24 May 2023.
These flights are aimed at strengthening domestic connectivity and offering customers with increased flight options, to India’s most popular tourist destination, Goa.
The addition of these routes will take the tally of total 22 flights being operated from North Goa.
“As part of our mission to enhance accessibility, we are introducing further new flights from North Goa. With the onset of the summer vacations, the number of holiday goers are rapidly rising especially to tourist destinations like Goa,” Malhotra added.
Indian Dominance
Indian domestic travel is a significant market on the world stage and also a significant business strategy for the airline. The airline states that a large percentage of the Indian travel demand is for domestic travel.
According to a report issued by the DGCA, IndiGo had over 57% of the market share of Indian domestic travel in April 2023. It also showed the carrier at over 56% for 2023 to date.
As IndiGo asserts its primary position in India, it turns its attention outwards. The airline reported high demand for international travel from Mumbai with the carrier starting routes to Dhaka and Singapore earlier in 2023.
Along with its extensive domestic network, connections to/from international routes will increase commercial viability as a heavyweight in Asia, not just India.
The cities in the expansion are all significant destinations for both business and leisure for a variety of attractions, such is with India’s vibrant cultural heritage and varied economy.
Through the network expansion, IndiGo is intending to increase the availability of affordable options to customers to travel to from multiple online points in India, on the wave of demand for low-cost travel since COVID travel restrictions have been eased.
“We will continue to offer more options in line with our promise of courteous, hassle-free, on-time and affordable travel experience across an unparalleled network,” Malhotra added.
