The Indian low-cost carrier
SpiceJet says it plans to open an international hub in the United Arab
Emirates, its first hub overseas.
On Wednesday the budget carrier has signed a memorandum of
understanding with the RAK International Airport to start direct flights
between RAK and New Delhi from December 2019. It will operate five flights a
week and will gradually increase the frequency.
SpiceJet is India’s second-largest airline in terms
of domestic passenger volume. Based near New Delhi it operates a fleet of 111 Boeing and Bombardier
aircraft, flying to over 50 destinations in India and a handful of
international routes, including Dubai.
The budget carrier has
decided to make Ras Al Khaimah its hub and also plans to launch an airline
which will be based at RAK International Airport.
Ajay Singh, chairman of SpiceJet, said they have applied for a licence for the new airline which will operate from Ras Al Khaimah and is slated to take off next year.
It will be the sixth airline to operate from the UAE after Emirates, Etihad, Air Arabia, flydubai and the recently-announced Air Arabia Abu Dhabi.
According to SpiceJet chief, though the name and destinations for the new airline are still at the discussion stage,but there is a strong potential to make Ras Al Khaimah hub for its strong connectivity with Africa, Middle East and Europe. “Ras Al Khaimah sees strong European tourist inflow so it merits a direct connectivity between.”
He also sees a strong potential in logistics space. ”We have started SpiceJet freighter aircraft and we will be expanding on that as well. We are trying to create a logistics hub at RAK airport for aircraft maintenance and repair operations.”
