GoAir
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| Founded | 2005 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commenced operations | November 2005 | ||||||
| Hubs | |||||||
| Secondary hubs | |||||||
| Fleet size | 22 | ||||||
| Destinations | 23 | ||||||
| Company slogan | Fly Smart | ||||||
| Parent company | Wadia Group | ||||||
| Headquarters | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India | ||||||
| Key people |
Jehangir Wadia (Founder and MD) Wolfgang Prock-Schauer (CEO and MD) | ||||||
| Profit |
 ₹104 million (US$1.5 million) (2013)[1] | ||||||
| Website |
www | ||||||
- Not to be confused with go!, the Hawaiian airline.
GoAir is a low-cost carrier based in Mumbai, India. It is owned by the Indian business conglomerate Wadia Group. As of February 2016, it is the fifth largest airline in India with an 8% passenger market share. It commenced operations in November 2005 and operates a fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft in all economy configuration. As of December 2016, the airline operates over 140 daily flights to 22 cities from its hubs at Mumbai and Delhi.
History
GoAir was founded in 2005 by Jehangir Wadia, son of Indian industrialist Nusli Wadia. The airline is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Wadia Group.[2] GoAir commenced its operations using an Airbus A320 aircraft and operated its inaugural flight from Mumbai to Ahmedabad on 4 November 2005.[2] The airline initially operated with a single aircraft to four destinations including Goa and Coimbatore with plans to induct 36 aircraft by 2008.[3] In March 2008, the airline announced revised plans to operate 11 aircraft and service new destinations in North East and South India by the end of the year.[4] But increasing fuel prices forced GoAir to cut down the existing number of flights in June 2008.[5]
In January 2009, British Airways was interested in buying a stake in the airline.[6] In November 2009, GoAir entered into talks with Indian airline SpiceJet over a possible merger which ended in a no deal.[7] In April 2012, GoAir became the fifth largest airline in India in terms of market share following the demise of Kingfisher Airlines.[8][9] In 2013, the airline appointed investment bank JP Morgan to scout for potential investors.[10]
The airline's growth has been slow compared to other airlines established at the same time such as IndiGo and SpiceJet, which have larger market share, fleet size and destinations served as of 2016.[11] According to the airline, it is a planned strategy due to the tough aviation environment in India and to focus on maintaining profitability rather than on capturing market share and increasing the destinations and fleet size.[12][13] As of February 2016, it remains the fifth largest carrier in the country with an 8% market share.[14] The airline is planning for an Initial Public Offering (IPO) in 2016.[15] The airline took delivery of its 20th aircraft in June 2016, making it eligible to operate international flights.[16]
Corporate affairs
The airline is headquartered in Mumbai, India.[17] Jehangir Wadia has served as the Managing Director of the airline since its inception in November 2005.[13] In April 2016, Wolfgang Prock-Schauer, the CEO of the airline, also became the joint Managing Director.[18]
Livery
GoAir aircraft are painted in different colour schemes such as blue and pink with the logo on the tail. In 2011, the airline announced that all its aircraft will convert to a new grey colour scheme.[19]
Destinations
As of December 2016, GoAir operates to 22 destinations in India, with over 140 daily flights and 975 weekly flights.[20] In June 2016, GoAir became eligible for international operations but does not yet operate any.[12]
Fleet
GoAir operates a fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft in an all economy configuration. As of November 2016, the fleet of GoAir consists of the following aircraft.[21][22]
| Aircraft | In Service | Orders | Passengers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A320-200 | 19 | — | 180 | |
| Airbus A320neo | 3 | 141[23] | 186 | |
| Total | 22 | 141 | ||
New orders
In June 2011, GoAir placed an order for 72 Airbus A320neo aircraft worth ₹32,400 crore (US$4.8 billion). Deliveries will begin from 2016, with an induction rate of 12–15 aircraft per year.[24] In December 2015, Airbus intimated that the deliveries will be delayed by three months due to technical issues and the aircraft will be delivered by the second quarter of financial year 2015–16.[25] GoAir received its first A320neo aircraft on 1 June 2016.[16]
In July 2016, GoAir signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus for 72 Airbus A320neo's aircraft valued at $7.7 billion, potentially taking the total number of orders to 144. This deal was announced at Farnborough Air Show 2016.[26]
Services
Being a low-cost airline, GoAir does not provide complimentary meals on its flights but offers options for buy on board in-flight meals.[27] The airline publishes an in-flight magazine named Go-getter.[28] GoAir offers a premium service known as Go Business at a higher fare which provides extra services including seats with greater legroom, free meals, increased baggage allowance and priority boarding.[29] In 2011, the airline launched its frequent flyer programme called Go Club, which provided benefits such as lounge access and free upgrade to Go Business.[30] New membership was discontinued in February 2014.[31]
Awards
GoAir was rated as the "Best Domestic Airline For Excellence in Quality and Efficient Service" by Pacific Area Travel Writers Association in 2008.[32] The airline was also awarded as the "Best Performing Airline" in Asia and Africa of all Airbus A320 operators by Airbus in 2011 based on fleet utilization and other performance metrics.[33]
See also
References
- ↑ "GoAir joins the profit league". Business Standard. 24 January 2014. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- 1 2 "GoAir: About us". GoAir. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- ↑ "GoAir begins commercial flights". The Economic Times. 4 November 2005. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- ↑ "GoAir to expand operations in South, Northeast". The Economic Times. 16 March 2008. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- ↑ Roy, Mithun (11 July 2008). "GoAir to drop 300 flights to reduce losses". The Economic Times. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- ↑ Roy, Mithun (5 January 2009). "British Air wants to buy 25% in GoAi". The Economic Times. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- ↑ Bhalla, Mohit; Chatterjee, Paramita (17 November 2009). "GoAir, SpiceJet deal enters air pocket". The Economic Times. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- ↑ "Air India, Kingfisher Airlines market share shrinks". The Economic Times. 17 May 2012. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- ↑ "IndiGo market share shrinks for 2nd month in a row in December". The Economic Times. 22 January 2014. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- ↑ Shah, Sneha; Singhal, Manisha; Vyas, Maulik (9 May 2013). "GoAir scouts for partners to sell 49% stake". The Economic Times. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- ↑ "What keeps GoAir up in the air". Rediff. 4 June 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- 1 2 Mishra, Lalatendu (3 March 2013). "We will not sell under cost". The Hindu Business Line. Chennai, India. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- 1 2 "Stay small till customer has a need, not want: Jeh Wadia". Times of India. 16 February 2012. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- ↑ "India's domestic passenger demand up 25 percent: IATA". Business Standard. 6 April 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
- ↑ "GoAir awaits Airbus delivery schedule to decide IPO timing". Live Mint. 28 March 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
- 1 2 "GoAir takes delivery of its first Neo aircraft". Live Mint. 1 June 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- ↑ "GoAir: Contact Us". GoAir. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- ↑ Chaudhary, Anirban (16 February 2012). "Wolfgang Prock-Schauer promoted to Managing Director of GoAir". The Economic Times. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- ↑ Singhal, Manisha (25 June 2011). "GoAir places order worth $7 bn for 72 Airbus A320 neo aircraft". The Economic Times. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
- ↑ "GoAir : Destinations". GoAir. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
- ↑ "About Us : GoAir". GoAir. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- ↑ Historical Orders and Deliveries of Airbus (XLS). Airbus (Report). Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- ↑ "Go Air doubles A320neo order to 144 as part of ambitious expansion". airbus. Retrieved 2016-10-16.
- ↑ "GoAir orders 72 Airbus jets for Rs. 32,000 crore". Times of India. 17 June 2011. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
- ↑ "A320neo delivery to GoAir likely to be delayed". The Economic Times. 20 December 2015. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
- ↑ "Business Standard - GoAir new order for 72 further NEO's".
- ↑ "GoAir Menu". GoAir. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
- ↑ "Go Getter In-flight magazine". GoAir. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
- ↑ "Go Business". GoAir. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
- ↑ Phadnis, Aneesh (11 December 2011). "GoAir flies on new routes to lure passengers". Business Standard. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- ↑ Hill, Ruben (27 April 2016). "GoAir Frequent Flyer Program". ISP online. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- ↑ "PATWA International Awards" (PDF). PATWA. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
- ↑ "GoAir ranked the Best Performing Airline by Airbus". Breaking Travel News. 1 June 2011. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
External links
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