India LCC GOAIR to lease additional Aircraft

GoAir (G8, Mumbai Int'l) is considering leasing additional aircraft over the next two to three years, in light of mounting operating costs and tougher local competition. “We are in discussion with Airbus Industrie (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) and leasing companies. No decision has been taken. We are evaluating plans,” GoAir’s chief executive officer, Giorgio De Roni, told India's Business Standard. The smallest of India's domestic carriers with a market share of a little less than eight per cent, GoAir operates a fleet of twelve A320-200s and five A320-200 (sl)s. Mr De Roni also said the LCC was open to partnering strategic investors. “The strategy should be win-win for us. Foreign direct investment is a significant opportunity for GoAir, as for any airline. The main thing is that we should not finalise an agreement only to oblige Indian travellers to go via an intermediate point to reach a final destination,” he remarked. With Etihad Airways (EY, Abu Dhabi Int'l) taking a 24% stake in Jet Airways (9W, Mumbai Int'l), India's aviation scene has witnessed a dramatic rise in foreign carriers willing to partner or acquire stakes in local operators. Thus far, AirAsia (AK, Kuala Lumpur Int'l) and Singapore Airlines (SQ, Singapore Changi) have pushed ahead with plans to partner Tata Group in establishing an LCC, AirAsia India (Chennai), and a full service carrier, Tata SIA Airlines (Delhi Int'l), respectively.