IndiGo plans to start flights to Bali, Indonesia and Medina in Saudi Arabia in the current fiscal as the airline continues to expand its network, CEO Pieter Elbers said recently. The airline is "well on track" to achieve the target of carrying 100 million passengers this financial year, he added.
IndiGo's expansion plans for the current fiscal include the introduction of flights to Bali, Indonesia and Medina in Saudi Arabia, according to Elbers. The airline posted a net profit of Rs 189 crore in the September quarter, carrying 26 million passengers.
The current fiscal ends on March 31, 2024. Currently, IndiGo flies to 32 international and 85 domestic destinations, and operates more than 1,900 flights daily. It also has international codeshares with various airlines.
IndiGo has placed orders for A321 XLR planes that are expected to come in late 2024 or early 2025. "XLR will help us expand our range... when XLRs come in, that can bring us further into Europe to places like Athens... it can bring further into Asia to places like Seoul," Elbers said.
IndiGo currently operates 500 routes, including 100 international ones, and intends to extend its reach with new destinations in Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. Amid Pratt & Whitney engine issues, IndiGo is implementing mitigating measures, acknowledging potential aircraft groundings in the fourth quarter but maintaining a focus on fleet management strategies.
Reently, amid rising concerns over fatigue among pilots, Elbers said the issue needs a "very considerate, holistic and in-depth approach". In recent times, the issue of fatigue among pilots has come to the fore, especially after the death of an IndiGo pilot, who had collapsed at the boarding gate of Nagpur airport.
During an interaction with reporters here on Monday, Elbers said the airline has introduced a tool to analyse fatigue among pilots. "The best way to improve safety is to work in a transparent measure... We are taking the feedback (on pilots' fatigue) seriously".
(Edited by : Jerome Anthony)
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