Airlines

IndiGo Seeks Extension on Boeing 777 Wet Lease with Civil Aviation Ministry

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As India’s largest airline with a domestic market share exceeding 62%, IndiGo is constantly exploring ways to enhance its fleet and meet growing demand for international air travel.

However, as the lease term for these aircraft nears its end, IndiGo is in discussions with the Ministry of Civil Aviation to explore options for extending this arrangement.

IndiGo’s current wet lease of two Boeing 777 aircraft from Turkish Airlines has allowed the airline to manage increased demand on international routes, particularly on high-traffic routes connecting Delhi and Mumbai to Istanbul.

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These Boeing 777s are the only wide-body aircraft in IndiGo’s fleet, which otherwise primarily consists of narrow-body planes suited for short to medium-haul routes. The addition of wide-body planes under the wet lease arrangement has enabled IndiGo to offer greater capacity on these routes, an option that has proved valuable amid rising international travel demand from India.

Wet leasing allows IndiGo to operate these foreign-owned aircraft with crew and maintenance provided by Turkish Airlines, while Indian authorities oversee commercial operations. This leasing structure is particularly beneficial in situations indigo cadet where domestic carriers face capacity constraints, such as grounded aircraft.

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By leveraging wet-leased aircraft, indigo can maintain operational efficiency without overextending its own fleet. IndiGo’s CEO Pieter Elbers highlighted the strategic advantage of the Boeing 777 addition when the second aircraft joined the fleet in May 2023.

He noted that the expanded capacity would not only support the airline’s growing international network but also help keep fares affordable for passengers, a crucial factor as IndiGo continues to cater to a diverse and price-sensitive market.

Related Topics:Boeing 777 Indigo airlines

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Airlines

Air India Unveils New Changes to HALAL Meat in Inflight Meals

A 17-yr boy was arrested for making a hoax bomb threat, causing multiple flight diversions and delays.

Air India has introduced significant changes to its inflight meal policy, particularly regarding halal-certified non-vegetarian meals, in response to the diverse dietary preferences of its passengers.

Effective from Sunday, November 10, the airline announced that it will no longer provide halal-certified non-vegetarian meals for Hindu and Sikh passengers. Instead, passengers can pre-book a Muslim Meal (MOML), which will still be halal-certified, ensuring that those who specifically request halal options can continue to receive them.

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The decision to adjust the meal offerings reflects Air India’s commitment to accommodating the various dietary needs of its diverse passenger base.

Under the new policy, the air india food menu will introduce non-halal non-vegetarian meal options, alongside its existing “Hindu Meal” that excludes beef and pork. This move is designed to cater to the dietary requirements of different faith groups while maintaining respect for their religious practices.

The announcement has been widely appreciated by many Hindu and Sikh passengers, who view the decision as a respectful gesture towards their cultural and religious traditions.

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By discontinuing halal-certified meals for Hindus and Sikhs, Air India is seen as addressing the growing demand for more inclusive meal options.

This shift is also seen as a stand against the so-called “halal mafia,” which some believe has influenced meal policies on airlines in India.

In a press release, air india plane further clarified the details of the new meal offerings. “MOML (Muslim Meal): Pre-booked meals labeled with a ‘MOML’ sticker are considered special meals (SPML),” the airline explained.

“A Halal Certificate will be provided only for the pre-booked MOML meal. All meals on flights to Saudi Arabia will remain halal-certified, with a Halal Certificate available for sectors to Jeddah, Dammam, Riyadh, and Medina, including Haj flights.”