China key focus in IndiGo's international expansion spree

Budget carrier IndiGo will aggressively focus on China and or Souast Asian nations to boost airline's international network, a top company official said. IndiGo has launched services to four destinations in China and Vietnam in last one month alone.

"We are focused on growing our services in China and Souast Asia, as well as in Middle East. We see that India-China access is becoming one of very important set of routes to operate," William Boulter, Chief Commercial Officer, IndiGo, told PTI in Ho Chi Minh City.

company inaugurated operations in China with Delhi-Chengdu service on September 15. Flights on Kolkata-Guangzhou route were launched on October 20. It is likely to fly to ar destination in that country "early next year", senior company official said.

RE | IndiGo Plane Aborts Take-off At Nagpur Airport, Nitin Gkari And Or Passengers Deplaned Safely

"We are looking at some of destinations in China where re is less competitive capacity, like Guangzhou and Chengdu..." Boulter said. He ded that IndiGo expects China to be a large contributor to its international network going ahe.

India's largest airline with around 50 per cent share in domestic passenger market, also launched direct flights to Vietnam's Hai (October 3) and Ho Chi Minh City (October 18) from Kolkata.

Expanding carrier's presence in Middle East, IndiGo h inaugurated services in Riyh in Saudi Arabia from Delhi on October 12, making it second destination in Kingdom following Jeddah.

"We expect near-full occupancy for new destinations in next six-eight months, which is usual gestation period when foraying into new markets," Boulter said. 

RE | DGCA Suspends 2 Indigo Pilots For 3 Months Over Runway Incursion

RE | IndiGo Promoter Feud: Rahul Bhatia & IGE Enterprises Seek Arbitration