SpiceJet buys 30 Q400 aircraft

Mahendra Kumar Singh, TNN | Aug 30, 2011, 01.47AM IST

TORONTO: SpiceJet has acquired the new fleet of Q400 aircraft from Bombardier as it expands its network to connect more Tier II and Tier III cities, including Bhopal, Indore, Mangalore and Tirupati. The low-cost airline will receive 30 more Q400 aircraft from Bombardier and is expected to launch its services to these new destinations from September 21, according to its chief operating officer, S Natrajhen. The turboprop aircraft, which can accommodate 78 passengers, is one of the best short-haul plane. SpiceJet opted for the aircraft as it is more fuel efficient and comfortable compared to other short-haul aircraft in the same category. SpiceJet chairman Kalanithi Maran received first four aircraft from the aircraft manufacturing company. This is the first lot of 30 Q400 planes ordered for the airline. The budget carrier has been focusing on improving air connectivity to Tier-II and Tier-III cities. "Our focus is on Tier II and Tier III cities to ensure affordable journey to the common people," Maran said. The cities which will be connected with the new aircraft are Aurangabad, Bhopal, Indore, Mangalore, Rajahmundry, Tirupati and Vijayawada. SpiceJet will include routes within its existing destinations, operating direct flights from Hyderabad to Goa, Madurai, Nagpur and Pune and Bangalore to Vizag. "This aircraft can operate from small runways. This will be the game changing aircraft for Indian aviation industry," SpiceJet CEO Neil Mills said. (The writer was in Toronto at the invitation of SpiceJet)