GoAir mulling order for Airbus aircraft
30 May 2011
New Delhi: Wadia group-owned GoAir (India) Pvt Ltd may be negotiating with European aircraft maker Airbus SAS for a fresh order for Airbus 320 aircraft. An announcement is likely at the Paris Air Show that starts 20 June. The aircraft may be for the fuel-efficient A320neo.
GoAir is the country's smallest passenger airline.
According to reports, the order maybe for as many as 50-70 aircraft, including options. GoAir last placed an order 2006, for 10 A320 aircraft.
GoAir chief executive officer, Kaushik Khona, said the carrier would likely make an announcement shortly in the first or second week of June.
The Mumbai-based carrier currently operates a fleet of 10 A320 aircraft, commanding a domestic market share of 6.4%. In comparison its low cost rival IndiGo, now controls a 19.7% market share operating a fleet of 39 aircraft, while SpiceJet operates 29 aircraft and commands a market share of 13.4%.
Despite meeting the norm of five-years of domestic flying experience, GoAir fails to meet the criterion of fleet strength, which requires that a carrier operate atleast 20 aircraft.
