By Prarthana Mitra
Domestic airline GoAir, popular for offering affordable flights, announced that it will add a global leg to its operations this October.
Fliers from Delhi and Mumbai will be able to avail their services and travel to Male in Maldives and Phuket in Thailand. This would mark the first ever direct flight connecting an Indian city with Phuket, and is scheduled to operate from October 11. Flights from Mumbai and Delhi to Male will begin on October 14.
Pocket pinch
GoAir will operate three direct flight services per week to and from Phuket for those boarding from Mumbai, and two direct flight services per week between Delhi – Phuket – Delhi. Both packages start at Rs. 18,999 inclusive of taxes.
Similarly, three direct flight services will be launched from Mumbai to Male and back every week, at a starting price of Rs. 17,999 (all inclusive). Two direct flight services per week will operate between Delhi – Male – Delhi at a return fare starting Rs. 18,999 (all inclusive).
Benefits and roadmap
Phuket and Male are key tourist destinations and hold a lot of promise. As a low-cost carrier, we have always strived to offer the best value for money to our customers and now we extend this proposition to the international traveller as well, Chief Executive Officer of GoAir, Cornelis Vrieswijk told The Hindu.
The next phase for GoAir’s global operations plans similar itineraries from Bangalore, among other routes to be announced in due course. The international flights will be made aboard the A320 aircraft with future plans to add wide-body aeroplanes to travel longer distances.
GoAir has managed to run profitably despite the rupee depreciation, inflationary pressure on oil price, and rising cost of operations. As a low-cost carrier, GoAir flights are in great demand, and the time is ripe for it to spread its wings beyond the border. The newly announced international itineraries will allow quick, convenient and affordable flights to millions of domestic travellers and tourists who are turning to air travel more than ever.
Prarthana Mitra is a staff writer at Qrius