IndiGo has announced an addition of six new daily flights on Shillong-Kolkata and Raipur-Kolkata route from July 20. It will also launch a flight on Delhi-Kathmandu route from July 4.
One among the six new flights to Kolkata will be operating under Government's Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS).
We are strengthening our network from Kolkata with six new flights including a new RCS (Regional Connectivity Scheme) route. Kolkata-Shillong-Kolkata, our next RCS route, will significantly increase connectivity and tourist traffic in the northeast region, William Boulter, Chief Commercial Office, IndiGo said in a release. Shillong will be the 54th destination for IndiGo. IndiGo will use ATR-18 aircraft for flying in the route.
The newly announced flight on Delhi-Kathmandu route intends to target the tourist crowd visiting Kathmandu. "Kathmandu is an important market for us and strengthening connectivity on this route will give a fillip to tourism in both the destinations," Boulter said. The daily flight will leave Delhi at 7.15 am every day and arrives in Kathmandu at 9.20 am. The return flight from Kathmandu leaves from the destination at 10.25 am and lands in Delhi at noon.
IndiGo has a major share of the domestic market, around 44.3% in Q1 2019, according to the data released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Dispute between IndiGo Promoters
While the plans of expansion are in place for IndiGo, reports are emerging from various sources citing rift between the promoters of IndiGo. According to a television report, Rahul Bhatia and Rakesh Gangwal are have differences of opinion regarding the managerial control of the firm. The report claimed that they had hired a law firm to settle things between them.
According to a report by Indian Express, the tension between the promoters started in April 2018 when the airline’s former Chief Executive Office Aditya Ghosh left his position. Rakesh Gangwal reportedly appointed a bunch of expatriates in management positions. This has led Rahul Bhatia to believe that Gangwal is trying to take control of the firm using a separate team of his own.
The report continues to say that both promoters have differences regarding the growth strategy of IndiGo when one prefers a cautious approach to growth, and the other thinks for growth at breakneck speed. The co-founders are trying to iron out the differences. IndiGo has denied any sort of issues within the management
With the grounding of Jet Airways and the financial instability of Air India, IndiGo has a fair chance of victory in the aviation industry. However, such managerial issues can hurt the growth of the airline.
