National carrier Air India has entered into an agreement with low-cost carrier SpiceJet to get two of Spicejet’s Boeing 737-800 aircraft on wet lease for operating daily flights between Lucknow, Varanasi, Jaipur and Nagpur & Jeddah to carry Haj pilgrims. During the term of the agreement, SpiceJet will operate around 120 flights and is expected to carry around 20,000 pilgrims. SpiceJet was one of the successful bidders for the tender floated by Air India. As per the agreement, it will provide its aircraft, pilots and the cabin crew and will also be responsible for the overall maintenance of the aircraft and insurance. Air India will take care of the in-flight catering and passenger handling. This is the first time that Air India has assigned a low-cost carrier the responsibility to fly pilgrims for Haj. “It is a historic moment for us and we are happy to partner Air India. This is first time an Indian low-cost carrier has been retained for Haj flights. This is an acknowledgement of our capabilities to undertake overseas operations,” said Siddhanta Sharma, Executive Chairman, SpiceJet.
