GoAir set to get nod for foreign operations with arrival of A320 neo tomorrow

New Delhi

After a delay of two months, GoAir is set to induct the first A320neo aircraft in its fleet, which will make the Wadia group-promoted budget carrier eligible to fly overseas and also boost its plans to hit the capital market this fiscal.

The induction of this new aircraft will take GoAir’s fleet size to 20.

“Our first A320 neo (new engine option) plane will be landing at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here on June 2,” a GoAir official said.

The airline expects to induct eight A320neo aircraft in the fleet by March next year, the official said, adding the first aircraft is likely to deployed on GoAir’s Mumbai-Delhi route.

The airline was supposed to have 26 Airbus A320 neo by end of 2017, as per the original delivery schedule.

“The aircraft should be in operations by early next week,” the official added.

GoAir commenced operations in November 2005.

The existing regulation requires an Indian carrier to have a minimum five years of domestic flying experience and a fleet of at least 20 planes to fly overseas.

The Mumbai-based airline had, in June 2011, placed order for 72 new A320 neo aircraft, valued at about Rs 32,400 crore on list price, with the European aviation major Airbus.

The airline was to induct these aircraft in the fleet from April. However, the deliveries were deferred by the European plane maker due to “industrial reasons”.

As of now, another budget airline IndiGo is the only operator of the fuel efficient A320neo plane in India.

PTI