Setback for IndiGo, Jet’s unused flight quota to be shared equitably

TIL Desk/Business/New Delhi/ Unimpressed by IndiGo’s suggestion to allot grounded Jet Airways’ unused slots in proportion to the fleet size of rival carriers, the government has decided to give higher seat quota on foreign routes to the carriers launching flights on unserved sectors or those witnessing spike in air fares.

This is a setback for the largest private carrier whose co-founders Rahul Bhatia and Rakesh Gangwal are reported to have differences over control of the airline and are taking legal advice from experts. Most private carriers want traffic rights for lucrative short-haul destinations such as Dubai, Doha, Dhaka, Singapore and Bangkok.

“Everybody wants rights for foreign routes where capacity is not going to be an issue after Air India mounts flights. The airlines have been advised to plan those routes which are under-served or have seen a spike in air fares after Jet Airways suspended its operation,” said a person aware of the development.