GURUGRAM- India’s largest LCC, IndiGo Airlines (6E) has made several reductions to its international flights for the upcoming winter season. Further, the airline received SEBI’s nod to establish a Venture capital fund.
Malaysia Airlines (MH) and IndiGo have begun a codeshare partnership today, building on their April 2024 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
IndiGo International Flights Reduction
As reported by Aeroroutes, IndiGo announces significant frequency reductions on multiple international routes for the initial three weeks of the Northern Winter 2024/25 season.
These adjustments, revealed through a schedule comparison between August 18 and October 13, 2024, affect various key destinations.
- The Chennai-Abu Dhabi route faces a reduction from seven to four weekly flights between October 27 and November 15, 2024, utilizing A320neo aircraft.
- Simultaneously, the Chennai-Colombo service decreased from 21 to 17 weekly flights during the same period, also operated by A320neos.
- Delhi’s connection to Hong Kong sees a cutback from seven to five weekly flights from October 27 to November 17, 2024, using A321neo aircraft.
- Hyderabad experiences reductions on two routes: Muscat and Ras al Khaimah, both dropping from seven to five weekly flights during the same timeframe, operated by A320neos.
- Kochi faces adjustments on three routes. The Abu Dhabi and Kuwait City services decrease from seven to five weekly flights each, while the Muscat route reduces from seven to four weekly flights. All these Kochi routes utilize A320neo aircraft and change from October 27 to November 17, 2024.
- Kozhikode’s link to Dammam sees a reduction from seven to four weekly flights between October 27 and November 14, 2024, using A321neo aircraft.
- Lucknow’s Dammam service follows suit with a similar reduction from October 27 to November 17, operated by A320neos.
- Mumbai’s connection to Kuwait City experiences a significant cut from seven to three weekly flights between October 27 and November 15, 2024, using A320neo aircraft.
- Additional service changes include Chandigarh-Abu Dhabi, reducing from seven to four weekly flights effective October 27, 2024, operated by A320neos.
- The Kochi-Doha route maintains six weekly services instead of the initially planned seven, utilizing leased Qatar Airways (QR) 737 MAX 8 aircraft.
IndiGo Ventures
Gurugram-based IndiGo has secured SEBI approval for its corporate venture capital fund, IndiGo Ventures, on October 15. The fund targets pre-Series A to Series B investments in aviation technology startups and passenger experience innovators.
The investment strategy focuses on startups developing advanced aviation technologies while expanding into adjacent sectors including travel, hospitality, lifestyle, and transportation. IndiGo Ventures has initiated preliminary investment activities and established direct engagement with selected startup founders.
The fund launch aligns with IndiGo’s strategic expansion, building on the airline’s strong financial performance with a reported net income of 27.3 billion rupees ($326 million) in Q2 2024. Investment operations will commence by the end of fiscal year 2025.
IndiGo’s Chief Digital & Information Officer, Neetan Chopra, emphasized the fund’s commitment to aviation innovation. “We will leverage IndiGo’s technical expertise and geographical reach to develop new products and services,” Chopra stated.
The fund has launched GoIndiGoVentures.com as its primary information portal, providing detailed investment criteria, founder value propositions, and governance structure details. This platform serves as the central hub for startups seeking partnership opportunities with IndiGo Ventures.
Codeshare with Malaysia Airlines
IndiGo and Malaysia Airlines have established a comprehensive codeshare partnership, expanding flight connectivity between India and Malaysia.
Malaysia Airlines extends its “MH” code to seven additional Indian destinations: Kolkata, Varanasi, Patna, Tiruchirappalli, Goa, Bhubaneswar, and Visakhapatnam.
The Malaysian carrier strengthens its presence across India, building upon existing direct routes to New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kolkata.
Simultaneously, IndiGo’s “6E” code integrates with Malaysia Airlines’ domestic network, connecting Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 1 to Penang, Langkawi, Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu, and Kuching.
Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo, emphasized the partnership’s significance in enhancing Indo-Malaysian connectivity. The collaboration aims to streamline travel experiences while fostering cultural and economic ties between both nations.
Datuk Captain Izham Ismail, Group Managing Director of Malaysia Aviation Group, highlighted the partnership’s strategic importance in tapping India’s business and leisure travel potential.
The agreement capitalizes on recent visa-free travel provisions between India and Malaysia.
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