The Hindu Business Line : SpiceJet plans more links from South

SpiceJet plans to base an aircraft in Chennai and further augment its six flights with connections to Ahmedabad and Jaipur from the southern city, according to Mr Siddhanta Sharma, Chief Executive Officer, SpiceJet Ltd.

The other cities in the South that are likely to be connected by SpiceJet are Coimbatore, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram to Mumbai.

These plans will be implemented once an additional aircraft joins the airline's existing fleet of six aircraft.

Mr Sharma said the airline plans to add 19 more aircraft by the end of 2008.

The aircraft will be taken on dry lease, he said.

Leasing model

Earlier, the airline had raised $80 million through foreign currency convertible bonds, and additional straight funding of $12.5 million.

Mr Sharma said that this time, the airline has opted for the leasing model.

The airline has put a cadet pilot scheme in place for those holding a commercial pilot licence with 200 and 250 hours of flying time.

The ground training for 40 such cadets will be in Gurgaon and later in Dubai for simulator, he said.

On the distribution front, in addition to the web booking, Mr Sharma said travel agents using their corporate card could book tickets.