AVIATION UPDATE

Indian carriers to expand int’l service with non-stop flights

Indian globetrotters will soon have improved international connectivity with desi carriers drawing up big plans for both long and medium haul flights. While Air India is adding nonstops to the US and Australia, others like SpiceJet, IndiGo are going to expand their foreign network. Air Asia India will complete five years this May and plans to fly to southeast Asia.

AI is going to add nonstop flights to the US and Australia, with the airline going to get some of its grounded aircraft — including three Dreamliners and one Boeing 777 — back in action. The airline will add three direct flights a week to either Chicago, San Francisco, or New York. And it will add three directs a week to Australia, said AI director (finance) Vinod Hejmadi. AI is the only airline with direct flights to Australia and the only Indian carrier with directs to the US.

While SpiceJet is eyeing flights to China, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and former Russian republics, IndiGo is already firming up plans for China and Europe, including a onestop to the UK. Vistara is also preparing to launch international flights.