SpiceJet set for aggressive global expansion

The year 2018 was a fantastic year for SpiceJet, India's favourite low-cost carrier. It marked remarkable achievements and excellence for the brand. Throughout the year, SpiceJet maintained great on-time performance, had one of the lowest cancellation rates and registered a passenger load factor (occupancy) of over 90 per cent. To be specific, for 44 consecutive months the load has been highest in the country, which is a record of sorts.

Heading towards expansion in a big way, SpiceJet inducted 10 of Boeing's newest and most-advanced 737 MAX8 aircraft, in addition to five of the new 90-seater Q400's and two freighters. The airline flew to eight new destinations and opened another nine routes under UDAN or the regional connectivity scheme flying more than 19 million passengers in the calendar year. In fact, between October and December 2018 alone, there has been an addition of 16 brand new planes which equals to 30 per cent expansion of the fleet.

The brand also achieved one of the biggest projects in the history of Indian aviation. SpiceJet launched a dedicated air cargo service, the first by any Indian carrier. The intent behind the same is to offer world-class cargo service to industry majors in India. SpiceJet also pioneered several unique initiatives like operating India's first-ever BioJet fuel-powered flight, thereby paving the way to reduce the carbon footprint of the country.

The expansion also involved launching new routes, both Indian and international alike, and SpiceJet did not disappoint its patrons on this front. The brand introduced several new routes, including five direct flights to the temple town of Shirdi, one of India's holiest destinations. Further, special daily flights would be operated during the Maha Kumbh Mela between Prayagraj (Allahabad) and New Delhi with a host of other new non-stop flights and frequencies connecting to Ahmedabad, Bagdogra and Goa. Among international destinations, Hong Kong has been recently introduced with several other key routes in the pipeline.

The year 2019 is meant to be crucial for SpiceJet as it gears up for aggressive expansion in both domestic and international markets. It will also entail setting new benchmarks in regional connectivity to cover the remotest parts of the country. The focus will also be on sustainable development - connecting people and communities, trade and tourism.