SpiceJet planning big domestic route expansion

Indian budget carrier SpiceJet will launch a dozen new domestic flights beginning early October.

With its Boeing Max fleet still grounded it will operate Boeing 737-800 planes on the new routes.

It hasn’t yet disclosed full details but will launch daily non-stop flights between Delhi and Aurangabad starting on October 8.

Aurangabad becomes SpiceJet’s 53^rd domestic destination.

It faces competition on the route from IndiGo which just launched service on this route last week.

SpiceJet says it will also add more frequencies on the Delhi-Kolkata and Delhi-Bengaluru routes.

The airline recently posted its second quarter financial results which showed a seat capacity increase of 31%, thanks to additional aircraft to cover for its 13 grounded max jets.

The demise of Jet Airways also helped boost ticket revenue.

"The results would have been vastly better but for the painful grounding of the MAX aircraft. We look forward to their swift return to service in the near future," said chairman Ajay Singh.