SpiceJet to expand international operations from September

New Delhi: SpiceJet has said it will enter its second phase of international expansion by September this year after taking deliveries of a number of Boeing aircraft. The carrier has applied to government authorities for required permissions.

''We plan to start flights to south Asian and west Asian countries by August or September, as some of our Boeing aircraft will be delivered during that period. We have applied for permission from the civil aviation ministry for a lot of destinations in these two regions and are awaiting permissions,'' said chief executive officer Neil Mills.

The Gurgaon-based carrier had launched its first international flight in October last year, to Kathmandu. It already has permission to operate flights to Kathmandu, Colombo, Dhaka and Maldives.

It currently operates to Kathmandu and Colombo.

''As of now, we have not firmed up any plan for expanding to Dhaka and Maldives but will start operation to these destinations whenever it makes sense,'' Mills said.

He also said international expansion would also result in better fleet utilisation. ''Our current aircraft utilisation is under 12 hours, which will increase to over 13 hours by the new set of expansion,'' he added.