Air India Express, the low-cost subsidiary of Air India, has delayed its much-anticipated launch of direct flights between Kolkata and Dhaka. The decision comes amid political tensions between India and Bangladesh, which have affected plans for what could have been a pivotal expansion for the airline. The new route was supposed to add to Air India Express’s growing network and fit into its strategy of expanding its fleet and opening new destinations.
Plans Put On Hold
Speaking on the delay, Aloke Singh, Managing Director of Air India Express said, “You would recall we had announced our operational plan for Dhaka, which is a new and significant market for us. But because of the situation there, we have deferred those plans.” The airline had initially planned to launch the Kolkata-Dhaka route in September with six weekly flights. However, the geopolitical tensions going on have compelled the airline to defer those plans indefinitely.
When Will Flights Resume?
Talking about the resumption of plans, Singh said, “When the conditions are right, we will resume those plans.” However, the airline has no qualms about continuing to expand its services in the eastern sector. Air India Express is keen on exploiting this increased demand for international travel and consolidating its position in significant markets.
Future Growth Plans
In a broader context, Air India Express is preparing for high growth. Singh revealed that the fleet size of the airline is going to be expanded from 90 aircraft to over 100 aircraft by March 2025, with plans to reach a fleet of 175 aircraft in the next three years. This also aligns with the Air India Group’s aggressive plan to acquire 400 aircraft at the group level during the same period.
Singh also drew attention to the airline’s focus on short-haul international routes within a 5.5-6 hour range. The airline aims to connect metro cities with tier-II and tier-III destinations, seizing emerging opportunities in regional connectivity.
Air India Express currently operates 24 daily flights out of Kolkata, which will see an increase of 10 during the summer schedule of this year. These augmentations include new routes on top of frequency increases on various services. The airline would also be augmenting its night halt capacity at Kolkata from the current seven to nine aircraft.
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