SpiceJet gets Q400 aircraft; to connect Tier II, III cities

In its ambitious attempts to connect Tier II and Tier III cities of India, the SpiceJet has received a brand new fleet of the latest Q400 NextGen turboprop aircraft from Bombardier, beginning a new era for Indian aviation industry.

"Our focus is on Tier II and Tier III cities to ensure affordable journey to common people," its chairman Kalanithi Maran said. The cities which will be connected with the brand new aircraft are Aurangabad, Bhopal, Indore, Bangalore, Rajahmundry, Tirupati and Vijayawada.

India's most preferred budget airline will launch its services from September 21 with the Q400 NextGen turboprop aircraft, which can accommodate 78 passengers and is widely accepted as the best short-haul plane in the world.

SpiceJet had placed an order for 30 such aircraft and its chairman Maran received the first four aircraft at an impressive function held here yesterday.

The budget carrier has been strategically focusing on improving air connectivity in Tier-II and Tier-III towns, which is considered to be a large market in India and is yet to be touched by the benefits of the aviation revolution.

SpiceJet will also include routes within its existing destinations using the Q400 aircraft and will operate direct flights from Hyderabad to Goa, Madurai, Nagpur and Pune and Bangalore to Vizag.

"This will be the game changing aircraft for the Indian aviation industry," Chief Executive Officer Neil Mills said.

The air carrier will also be flying on three currently unconnected routes