SpiceJet has added three Bombardier Q400 planes to its fleet to fly on routes under the government’s Regional Connectivity Scheme, an official from the listed airline told Moneycontrol.
With the latest induction, SpiceJet now has 33 Boeing B737 next generation planes and 20 Bombardier Q-400s.
The low-cost carrier, promoted by Ajay Singh, will fly on 11 routes covering four unserved and two underserved airports under the first phase of the government’s Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme.
On Thursday, SpiceJet and four other airlines won the bids to operate under the first phase of the scheme with funding assistance from the Centre and state governments. The five airlines have been awarded 128 routes (most of them exclusive) connecting 43 airports. The companies will have a three-year exclusivity on the routes.
The regional connectivity scheme places a cap of Rs 2,500 on the fare for an hour’s plane journey of approximately 500-km and a 30-minute helicopter journey.
The Q400 planes are the latest in the Q series family of and carry fuel-efficient turboprop engines. Bombardier claims Q400 planes offer a 30 percent reduction in fuel burn over similar capacity older jets, thus also making it cost-efficient.
Its high-speed cruise is 160 kmph faster than conventional turboprops and its large propellers operate at a lower RPM (revolutions per minute), generating more power with less noise, according to the Canadian company’s website.
SpiceJet’s purchase of three new Bombardiers comes after the airline placed the second-largest order in Indian aviation industry on January 13, seeking 150 B737-8 MAX planes from manufacturer Boeing.
In 2011, InterGlobe Aviation Ltd - the company behind IndiGo airline - had placed an order for 180 Airbus A320Neo planes.
SpiceJet will buy 100 B737-8 MAX planes with the deal handing the Ajay Singh-led airline purchase rights for another 50 B737-8 MAX and wide-body aircraft.
A SpiceJet official said 38 foreign banks had shown interest in funding the purchase of the Boeing planes. He said the company would take two to three months to decide on the modalities of the financing.
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