India aviation turmoil continues

Turmoil among India’s airlines following the grounding of Jet Airways flights (BTN 22 April) intensified at the weekend amid reports of a shareholder dispute at Indigo Airlines, one of the carriers seeking to fill the current gap in the market.

Indigo had said earlier it was considering launching Business Class flights to Europe, including London, possibly via Istanbul, which it already serves. Indigo said it would offer fares lower than those available from other carriers.

CEO Ronojoy Dutta said his airline was in talks with Airbus for a “large order” of long-range aircraft. He conceded the Indigo product might be adjusted to serve new routes but fare levels were key “as India is the world's most price-sensitive market”.

Meanwhile, the future of Jet Airways remains unclear after favoured bidder Etihad Airways, which already owns 24% of the company, said it was unwilling to invest in a majority share.

Etihad said it would invest up to $240m (about £188m) in Jet while considering other approaches, including one from the London-based AdiGro Group, parent company of AdiGro Aviation, which Etihad said was seeking a potential joint venture to relaunch Jet by 1 July.

www.goindigo.in

www.jetairways.com

www.etihad.com

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