MUMBAI- According to OAG data, IndiGo Airlines (6E) intends to operate 103 international A320 flights from India on a typical day in September 2024. This marks an increase from 56 flights in March 2019.
If you spot an IndiGo aircraft outside of India, chances are it’s nighttime. Because IndiGo’s international expansion primarily takes place at night, effectively utilizing aircraft that would otherwise be idle after domestic flights during the day.
IndiGo International Flights
Will Horton, the aviation analyst, shared the data on LinkedIn and reported that out of the 103 flights, 55 will take off from India between 8 pm and 4 am. This entails utilizing approximately a quarter of IndiGo’s operational A320 fleet, which would otherwise have minimal or no domestic flights scheduled during those hours.
However, not every aircraft can participate in this efficiency enhancement. Some aircraft require base maintenance, and the supply chain necessitates a conservative schedule. Nevertheless, there is still potential for expansion with the existing fleet and IndiGo’s future deliveries.
International flights are crucial in contributing to IndiGo’s utilization rate and CASK (Cost per Available Seat Kilometer).
IndiGo is evidently capitalizing on its customer base and efficient operational model, which has led to its success. The company benefits from limited foreign competition due to India’s strict bilateral agreements. However, this advantage may be more pronounced for Air India (AI), given its higher cost structure compared to IndiGo.
Gamechanger A321XLRs Coming Soon
Changes are on the horizon. The A321XLR’s capabilities allow for flights between domestic and international markets, potentially enabling IndiGo to offer dedicated international services, given its range and fleet composition.
As foreign slot availability becomes increasingly constrained, daytime flights could become necessary. A potential order for widebody aircraft would also introduce a significantly different operational platform.
Currently, IndiGo’s growth primarily occurs during nighttime hours. Comparing March 2019 to September 2024, IndiGo plans to add 47 daily international flights. Out of these, only 13 will depart from India between 5 am and 7 pm, while the remaining 34 are scheduled between 8 pm and 4 am.
50% Increase in Int’l Flights
In March 2019, 38% of IndiGo’s international flights originated from India between 8 pm and 4 am. This figure has increased to 53% as of September this year.
IndiGo’s daytime flights typically serve regional destinations, allowing for shorter flight durations and minimizing time away from the domestic Indian market.
Flights departing between 10 am and 3 pm have an average international flight time of approximately 2.5 hours, connecting India with destinations such as Colombo, Kathmandu, and the Gulf.
During the period from 8 pm to 10 pm, the average international flight duration for IndiGo approaches 5 hours as A320 aircraft extend their reach into East Asia.
International expansion is outpacing domestic growth. The proportion of IndiGo’s total Available Seat Kilometers (ASKs) attributed to international flights is projected to increase from 20% in 2019 to 27% this year.
Since 2019, 17% of the seating capacity added by IndiGo has been allocated to the international market. However, on an ASK basis, 39% of the new capacity is directed towards international markets, reflecting longer flight distances and larger aircraft sizes.
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