SpiceJet, the airline that made flying more affordable for more Indians than ever before in 2014, announced the launch of its first Super Sale Offer for 2015, with 5,00,000 seats for sale at all inclusive one way advance booking fares starting as low as Rs. 1,499 all-in.
SpiceJet: Kalanithi Maran resigns from board
Spicejet Ltd has announced that Board of Directors of the Company at its meeting held today has taken on record the Share Sale and Purchase Agreement dated January 29, 2015 between the Company, Kalanithi Maran, Kal Airways Private Limited and Ajay Singh pursuant to which the existing Promoter (i.e. Mr. Kalanithi Maran and Kal Airways Private Limited) have agreed to sell and transfer their entire shareholding aggregating to 350,428,758 equity shares (58.46%) to Mr. Ajay Singh.
Further, it is to be noted that Kalanithi Maran, Kavery Kalanithi and Mr. S. Natrajhen have resigned from the Board of the Company with immediate effect and the Board has accepted the same.
SpiceJet’s Super Sale is back!
SpiceJet, the airline that made flying more affordable for more Indians than ever before in 2014, announced the launch of its first Super Sale Offer for 2015, with 5,00,000 seats for sale at all inclusive one way advance booking fares starting as low as Rs. 1,499 all-in.
This offer is open for bookings made from January 28 to January 30, and is for travel between February 15 and June 30, 2015, and is applicable on all direct flights on SpiceJet's domestic network. The offer available on first come first served basis, and seats per flight are limited.
SpiceJet’s latest Super Sale will allow customers to sample its enhanced schedule that is launching on February 1, with improved metro to metro connectivity, attractive day return options, enhanced non-metro connections and better timings. The network and schedule will be further enhanced in the Summer Schedule starting March 29, 2015.
Airlines reduces fares by up to 50%
Airlines dropped fares by up to 50% to fill up seats, according to reports. Spicejet was the first to reduce fares. The airline announced the launch of its first Super Sale Offer for 2015, with 5,00,000 seats for sale at all inclusive one way advance booking fares starting as low as Rs. 1,499 all-in. While Jet Airways joined the sale bandwagon and is offering all-inclusive return tickets starting from Rs 4,459. Under the scheme which is valid till March 31, Jet is offering a Goa-Mumbai-Goa ticket for Rs 4,459.
Domestic News
Jet Airways, Etihad Airways to celebrate Republic Day with attractive offers
Jet Airways, India's premier international airline, today announced a special offer on its domestic and international networks to mark India’s Republic Day. Etihad Airways, the strategic partner of Jet Airways, will also join the celebrations by extending the offer to guests flying on its network from India to the Middle East, Europe and the United States. The three day special fare offers up to 25 percent discount on prevailing lowest published fare and will be available for sale from January 24, 2015 to January 26, 2015.
The offer is applicable for Economy fares on Jet Airways’ domestic network with travel validity from March 1, 2015 to September 30, 2015. On Jet Airways’ international network the offer is applicable on both Premiere and Economy fares. On Etihad Airways flights, the offer is applicable on Business and Economy fares. Travel validity of the offer on the international routes of Jet Airways and Etihad Airways is February 1, 2015 onward.
SpiceJet records 400% increase in bookings on Day one of Super Sale
SpiceJet announced that on its first day of its latest Super sale offer (its first such sale in 2015), booking volumes quadrupled (increased by 4X or 400%), indicating continuing pent up demand in the market despite other airlines having held sales earlier this month.
SpiceJetlaunched its first Super Sale Offer for 2015, with 5,00,000 seats for sale at all inclusive one way advance booking fares starting as low as Rs. 1,499 all-in yesterday. This offer is open for bookings made from January 28 to January 30, and is for travel between February 15 and June 30, 2015, and is applicable on all direct flights on SpiceJet's domestic network. The offer available on first come first served basis, and seats per flight are limited.
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Singapore Airlines and Vistara launch Frequent Flyer programme partnership
Singapore Airlines and India’s newest airline Vistara announced a partnership between the KrisFlyer and Club Vistara frequent flyer programmes, providing members more opportunities for accrual and redemption rewards. The partnership enables KrisFlyer members to earn KrisFlyer miles when travelling on Vistara flights, and redeem Vistara flight tickets with their miles. Similarly, Club Vistara members can earn and redeem points when travelling on Singapore Airlines and SilkAir flights. The accrual of miles and points for both frequent flyer programmes will commence in March 2015, and redemption in May 2015. The tie-up is Vistara’s first with another airline, and follows the recent launch of an interline partnership with Singapore Airlines. Vistara, which is a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, launched domestic services from its Delhi base on 9 January.
SpiceJet to receive Rs 1,500 crore in new equity funding by April
SpiceJet will get Rs 1,500 crore in new equity funding of over three months, according to reports. Report said that first instalment of Rs 100 crore was scheduled to be made on January 25.The other instalment, of Rs 400 crore, is scheduled for February 15, says report.
There are reports that another installments includes Rs 500 crore each on March 20 and April 30.
AirAsia says will pursue its growth plans
AirAsia India reportedly said that it will pursue its growth plans at full throttle from March with the induction of more aircraft. The airline would be looking at 100 frequencies per week and adding one aircraft every month in the fleet, AirAsia India chief executive Mittu Chandilya reported. “Full expansion will take place from March when we introduce more flights and new routes,” Chandilya reported.
TripFactory comment on discounted airfares
This sale offer coming from SpiceJet after a gap of few months shows the airline is back on track. Travel period offered under this sale covers summer vacation and is a good opportunity for people to plan their holidays in advance at very exciting rate. Such stimulating offers are not only good for airlines as they are able to fill more seats even in lean seasons but also for passengers and entire aviation and allied sectors like tourism and hospitality. TripFactory is a travel solutions provider. It offers a range of holiday packages for a number of destinations.
DIAL announces raising of US$288.75 mn in International Bond Market
Delhi International Airport Private Limited (DIAL), a subsidiary of GMR Infrastructure Limited (GMR Group) announced that it has successfully raised US$288,750,000 in the international bond market. DIAL has entered into a Purchase Agreement to issue and allot US$288,750,000 in principal amount of 6.125% senior secured fixed rate notes due 2022 (the “Notes”). The proceeds from the Notes will be used to refinance one of the current outstanding External Commercial Borrowing (“ECB”). The issuance of the Notes are pursuant to the regulations issued by the Reserve Bank of India (“RBI”) in relation to External Commercial Borrowing (“ECB”) and are under the automatic route and the amounts raised pursuant to the Notes are capped by the outstanding amount of the ECB being refinanced.
Commenting on the occasion, G.M. Rao, Chairman, GMR Infrastructure Limited (“the Group”) said, “It gives me immense pleasure to announce the successful completion of Delhi Airport Bond Issuance. This deal marks the Group’s first foray into International Bond Markets. The issuance buoyed by strong investor demand across geographies was oversubscribed many times over. That the deal has been concluded despite volatile market conditions in Europe depicts the investor confidence in India under its strong and decisive leadership and the strong credit fundamentals of GMR Group and Delhi Airport. The pricing was done at a very competitive rate and will reduce the overall financial burden on the Airport by way of interest cost reduction and repayment holiday which will increase the liquidity.
AirAsia India offers heavy discounts on tickets on several routes
As per media reports, Air Asia, the budget carrier is offering tickets for Rs. 699 (all-inclusive) on advance bookings.The offer is valid till February 1, 2015 and is applicable on travel between August 3, 2015 and March 26, 2016. Air Asia, which is a JV between Malaysia's AirAsia, Tata Sons and Telestra Tradeplace, started operations in India in June last year and has provided cheap tickets to customers.
Under the current promotional scheme, Bengaluru-Goa tickets are priced from Rs 1,099, Bengaluru-Chennai route are priced from Rs 699 and Bengaluru-Kochi at Rs 899, Bengaluru-Pune at Rs 1,499, Bengaluru-Jaipur and Bengaluru-Chandigarh at Rs. 1,999.
Tigerair ends agreement with SpiceJet
Singapore-based low-cost carrier Tigerair ended interline agreement with SpiceJet, for non-performance, its director for sales and marketing, Teh Yikchuan reportedly said. Report said that the agreement, was ended because the latter was able to meet less than 30% of its revenue targets. Tigerair, sent a termination notice to the latter in December last year with a 30-day notice. Singapore Airlines, a 49% stakeholder in Vistara, is also the largest shareholder of Tigerair.
Jet Airways offers discounts to passengers, joins the 'low fare' race
According to media reports, Jet Airways is offering discounts on several routes to combat the competition from the likes of SpiceJet and AirAsia. Jet Airways is offering all-inclusive to-and-fro tickets on certain routes, starting Rs 4,459. The offer is valid for return journey on or before March 31. However the tickets must be purchased a minimum of 30 days prior departure.
Earlier this week, SpiceJet offered 'Super Sale' to its customers, with 5,00,000 seats for sale at all inclusive one way advance booking fares starting as low as Rs. 1,499 all-in. This offer is open for bookings made from January 28 to January 30, and is for travel between February 15 and June 30, 2015, and is applicable on all direct flights on SpiceJet's domestic network. The offer available on first come first served basis, and seats per flight are limited. Similar to SpiceJet, budget airlines Air Asia India also offered discounted rates to the passengers, with tickets for Rs. 699 (all-inclusive) on advance bookings. The offer is valid till February 1, 2015 and is applicable on travel between August 3, 2015 and March 26, 2016.
International News
Cathay Pacific to operate San Francisco flights from June
Cathay Pacific Airways announced that it will launch an additional three-times-weekly direct service between Hong Kong and San Francisco commencing 11 June 2015. The three extra flights, operating as CX892/893, will bring the total number of Cathay Pacific flights between Hong Kong and San Francisco to 17 a week, providing more choice, greater convenience and improved connectivity for passengers travelling through the Hong Kong hub to the West Coast of the United States.
Scoot and Tigerair join KrisFlyer
KrisFlyer members will soon have even more options for redemption rewards with the inclusion of Scoot and Tigerair as programme partners. The partnerships will enable KrisFlyer members to redeem their miles for vouchers for travel on Scoot and Tigerair flights, or to pay for selected products offered by the two low-cost carriers, in April 2015.
The carriers also plan to offer KrisFlyer members the option to earn KrisFlyer miles on Scoot and Tigerair by the end of this year.
SriLankan Airlines new Chairman assumes duties
SriLankan Airlines’ new Chairman Ajith Dias assumed duties in the presence of Minister of Ports and Shipping, Arjuna Ranatunga and State Minister of Aviation, Faizer Mustapha, at the SriLankan Airlines Office in Colombo. Hailing from the apparel industry, Dias is a co-founder of Brandix, Chairman of Barista Sri Lanka and Jewelex Trading. Speaking at the event, Minister Ranatunga assured the Airline’s management that the new government will ensure smooth operations of the national carrier with decisions and policies adopted strictly on commercial basis. He requested the Airline’s senior management team to make every effort to achieve profitability.
Singapore Airlines & SilkAir celebrate Singapore's 50th Anniversary
Singapore completes 50 years as a nation on 9 August 2015. To mark its 50th anniversary, Singapore Airlines and SilkAir have announced special offers for Indian travellers to the Lion City. This Golden Jubilee also commemorates 50 years of diplomatic relations with India. In collaboration with Changi Airport Group and Singapore Tourism Board; passengers traveling from India to Singapore will enjoy savings of up to $130. The offer includes a complimentary S$30 Changi Airport Voucher that can be redeemed at participating outlets at Changi Airport, entry to two tourist attractions and two days of unlimited rides on the SIA Hop-on Bus in Singapore.
Etihad flight colleges receive GCAA approval and Hala Abu Dhabi
Hala Abu Dhabi, the destination management division of Etihad Airways, has signed agreements with Thomas Cook, Kuoni, Stic Travel Group and Kesari in India, to promote Abu Dhabi as a stopover destination for passengers transiting in the UAE capital. The preferred sales agreements are four of 45 signed by Hala Abu Dhabi with key tour operators across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Australia to expand the reach of Etihad Airways’ popular ‘Stopover in Abu Dhabi’ program. The program allows travellers from India and other countries to break their journeys in Abu Dhabi, capital of the UAE, and enjoy exclusive privileges, such as overnight accommodation, complimentary visas and golf course access, before continuing on to their final destinations.
