Air India Express has announced a major expansion of its routes and increased flight frequencies in anticipation of the busy summer travel season ahead. The airline's 2024 summer schedule will see more than 360 daily departures, connecting various business and leisure destinations.
Compared to last summer, there has been significant growth in the network, with domestic flights up by over 25% and international flights up by more than 20%. This translates to an additional 55 domestic flights and 19 more international flights, totaling 259 domestic and 109 international departures.
The airline aims to boost flight frequencies to international destinations such as Abu Dhabi, Dammam, Jeddah, and Sharjah. It also plans to strengthen its network by increasing both domestic and international frequencies from Ayodhya, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kannur, Kolkata, Kochi, Mangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, and Varanasi, offering passengers a wider range of travel options.
This expansion comes at a time when Indian travelers are gearing up for a busy summer of travel, with airfares expected to rise. Reservations for the peak summer season from April to June have surged by 30-40% compared to last year, according to reports. Limited flight availability may further drive up airfares.
Other airlines are also gearing up for the summer rush. IndiGo, the country's largest airline, plans to introduce new routes for both domestic and international flights. SpiceJet has completed lease agreements for 10 aircraft to meet the increased demand expected during the summer months.
However, Indian carriers are facing challenges, with around 200 planes expected to remain grounded due to engine issues and financial difficulties at struggling airlines. Additionally, flight cancellations may occur if the government does not delay the implementation of new pilot duty hours, scheduled to take effect on June 1st.
In other aviation news, FLY91, a new player in India's aviation industry, has commenced its commercial services. The airline is initially operating flights between Goa, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Sindhudurg, with plans to add flights to Agatti, Jalgaon, and Pune in April. They will operate flights between Goa and Bengaluru on Monday, Friday, and Saturday, with a similar schedule for Bengaluru-Sindhudurg routes. Additionally, they will fly between Goa and Hyderabad, as well as Sindhudurg and Hyderabad twice a week.
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