India is now the third-largest domestic aviation market, after the U.S. and China, according to data by aviation analytics firm OAG. In April 2024, India’s domestic airline capacity was about 15.6 million, up from 8 million in April 2014.
06.06.2024 - 04:11 / skift.com / Pieter Elbers / Bulbul Dhawan
Budget airline Air India Express has announced that it will be commencing operations from the Hindon airport in the national capital region (NCR), in addition to its ongoing operations from the Delhi airport. With this, it has become the first airline to operate from two airports in the NCR.
Starting August 1, 2024, the airline will operate 28 weekly direct flights to Bengaluru, Goa, and Kolkata. The move aims to enhance connectivity from cities in western Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Haryana.
Air India Express managing director Aloke Singh said, “Our network expansion is focused on enhancing connectivity across the rapidly growing domestic and short-haul international market, particularly the new and underserved routes. The maturity and size of major metropolitan areas in India can support secondary airports.”
The Hindon airport was meant to serve the smaller towns bordering Delhi in Uttar Pradesh as part of the government’s regional connectivity scheme. However, only two airlines – FlyBig and Star Air – currently operate from there, with Air India Express set to be the third airline.
A New Hub? Air India Express’ primary hub is located in Kochi, while it has secondary hubs in nine cities, including Delhi. The airline operates 280 weekly flights from Delhi, and flights from Hindon are meant to complement Air India Express’ Delhi operations.
It is not yet clear if Hindon will be another hub for the airline, as it currently only plans to operate direct flights to three destinations from the airport.
However, it is possible for the airport to serve as a hub for the budget airline’s regional operations, especially as it prepares for its merger with AIX Connect, formerly known as AirAsia India.
In an interview with Skift, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers had said that multiple hubs for airlines in a country of the size and population of India would be justified. “IndiGo serves different markets from different hubs. The geographical size of India is a fantastic opportunity for us,” he said.
While Air India Express is currently the only airline to operate from two airports in NCR, India’s largest airline IndiGo is also ready to operate from the upcoming international airport in Noida in the NCR region. For this, the airline has also signed an agreement with the airport to become its launch carrier.
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The company received the regulatory approval for its IPO in May.
Ixigo is planning to use the proceeds from the
India is now the third-largest domestic aviation market, after the U.S. and China, according to data by aviation analytics firm OAG. In April 2024, India’s domestic airline capacity was about 15.6 million, up from 8 million in April 2014.
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