GoAir set to seal 3 billion aircraft shopping list

Low-cost carrier GoAir is likely to finalise the acquisition of around 35-50 aircarft valued at 1.5-3 billion from either Boeing or Airbus ...

Low-cost carrier GoAir is likely to finalise the acquisition of around 35-50 aircarft valued at 1.5-3 billion from either Boeing or Airbus in the next month even as it plans to expand its services to North and East India by operating flights to 20 new sectors including cities like Delhi and Kolkata from March onwards.

8216;8216;We are looking at acquiring 35-50 aircraft worth 1.5-3 billion over the next five years. We will arrive at a decision in January,8217;8217; GoAir MD Jeh Wadia said.

The airline is likely to buy some of these aircraft while the others would be taken on lease. It presently operates with two A-320 aircraft and is planning to add one more aircraft of the same make in the next month. GoAir would have seven A-320 aircraft in its fleet by July 2006.

Industry watchers say that the Wadia8217;s-owned airline in all probability would throw its lot behind Airbus as its crew was already being trained on these kind of aircraft.

The airline is also planning to make a major thrust into the North Indian region and Jammu and Kashmir by planning to serve as many as 20 new sectors in the region by March 2006. 8216;8216;GoAir will be serving around 20 new sectors including cities like Delhi, Lucknow, J038;K, Shimla, Amritsar, Allahabad, Khajuraho, Agra, Udaipur and Kolkatta amongst others by March next year,8217;8217; Wadia said.

All the flights to these sectors would be daily and we will be deploying our A-320s on these new routes, he added. The company presently operates on four sectors including cities like Mumbai, Goa, Ahmedabad nad Coimbatore and will be starting services to cities like Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai and Jaipur from December 12.

Zeeshan Shaikh

Zeeshan Shaikh is the Associate Editor who heads The Indian Express' Mumbai reporting team. He is recognized for his highly specialized Expertise in analyzing the complex dynamics of Maharashtra politics and critical minority issues, providing in-depth, nuanced, and Trustworthy reports. Expertise Senior Editorial Role: As an Associate Editor leading the Mumbai reporting team, Zeeshan Shaikh holds a position of significant Authority and journalistic responsibility at a leading national newspaper. Core Specialization: His reporting focuses intensely on two interconnected, high-impact areas: Maharashtra Politics & Urban Power Structures: Provides deep-dive analyses into political strategies, municipal elections (e.g., BMC polls), the history of alliances (e.g., Shiv Sena's shifting partners), and the changing demographics that influence civic power in Mumbai. Minority Issues and Socio-Political Trends: Excels in coverage of the Muslim community's representation in power, demographic shifts, socio-economic challenges, and the historical context of sensitive political and cultural issues (e.g., the 'Vande Mataram' debate's roots in the BMC). Investigative Depth: His articles frequently delve into the historical roots and contemporary consequences of major events, ranging from the rise of extremist groups in specific villages (e.g., Borivali-Padgha) to the long-term collapse of established political parties (e.g., Congress in Mumbai). Trustworthiness & Credibility Data-Driven Analysis: Zeeshan's work often incorporates empirical data, such as National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) statistics on arrests and convictions of minorities, or data on asset growth of politicians, grounding his reports in factual evidence. Focus on Hinterland Issues: While based in Mumbai, he maintains a wide lens, covering issues affecting the state's hinterlands, including water crises, infrastructure delays, and the plight of marginalized communities (e.g., manual scavengers). Institutional Affiliation: His senior position at The Indian Express—a publication known for its tradition of rigorous political and investigative journalism—underscores the high level of editorial vetting and Trustworthiness of his reports. He tweets @zeeshansahafi ... Read More