GoAir, India’s low-cost carrier (LCC), will launch its first international flights to Phuket in Thailand and Male in Maldives from Mumbai and New Delhi next month and to be followed from Bengaluru soon. Direct services from India to Phuket are a first by any airline. Flights to Phuket will begin from 11 October and to Male from 14 October.
Cornelly Vrieswijk, CEO, GoAir, said: “Phuket and Male are key tourist destinations with significant demand. We’re absolutely delighted to be responding to growing demands of business and tourist travel. Phuket is growing very well with double digits, almost triple digits year on year. Our maiden international extension to our Thailand network and will be a strong addition to our portfolio.”
GoAir flights to Phuket will be thrice weekly from Mumbai and twice weekly from Delhi, starting 11 October. Similar frequencies from both Indian cities to Male will start from 14th October.
Sudhir Patel, Director, Veena World, said: “Direct flights to Phuket and Male from Mumbai and Delhi are welcome as the airline will offer competitive prices. Maldives, which has traditionally attracted European tourists, will attract more Indian travellers , with direct connections and available visa on arrival facility.” Further packaging of good offers by resorts in Maldives will attract short stay, last minute travellers as well.
Mr Vrieswijk said: “We’ve strived to offer the best value for money to our customers and now we’ll be attractive to international tourists as well, who’ll connect to these destinations. Next winter will witness increased frequencies from all three destinations.” He added that operating A320 Neos helps in managing costs as these are up to 80 percent more efficient and that engine supplier Pratt and Whitney is providing spares to replace troubled engines in case a problem arises.
GoAir flights operated on Airbus A320 Neos are priced at INR 18,999 to Phuket both from Mumbai and Delhi. Fares to Male will be INR 17,999 from Mumbai and INR 18,999 from New Delhi.
Owned by Wadia Group, a premier business house in India, GoAir is in operation since 2005 and has maintained prudent growth and profitability throughout. The LCC currently operates 230 daily flights to 23 destinations within India and carries more than a million passengers every month.
Written by Anand & Madhura Katti
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