Spicejet Airways

SpiceJet is a low-cost airline headquatered in Gurgaon, India.[1] It began service in May 2005 and by 2008, it was India's second-largest low-cost airline in terms of market share.[2] SpiceJet was voted as the best low-cost airline in South Asia and Central Asia region by Skytrax in 2007.

History


SpiceJet, India's leading low cost airline, is a reincarnation of ModiLuft. It is promoted by Ajay Singh and the Kansagra family. SpiceJet marked its entry in the Indian skies with  99 fares for the first 99 days, with 9,000 seats available at this rate.
This deal was followed it up with a  999 promotional scheme on select routes. Their marketing theme "offering low 'everyday spicy fares' and great guest services to price conscious travelers. Their aim is to compete with the Indian Railways passengers travelling in air conditioned coaches.
On 15 July 2008 Billionaire Wilbur Ross suggested he would invest 345 crore (US$74.86 million) in the low cost airline. The board of directors of SpiceJet accepted an offer in-principle from the US-based PE firm that would make available about 345 crore (US$74.86 million) to SpiceJet, a joint statement issued by SpiceJet and WL Ross & Co.
Indian media baron Kalanidhi Maran acquired a major stake (37.7%) in this airline on June 2010.[4][5] On December 9, 2010, SpiceJet made a firm order for 15 Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 and options for another 15.[6]
Currently, SpiceJet operates 21 Boeing 737-800/900ER aircraft across 19 destinations and has a 12% share of the Indian market.

Destinations

SpiceJet flies to 22 destinations across India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. It commenced international operations with flights from Chennai to Colombo, Sri Lanka on 7th October 2010, and flights from New Delhi to Kathmandu, Nepal on 9th October 2010.

Fleet

As of December 2010, the SpiceJet fleet consists of the following aircraft with an average age of 4.4 years:


Awards

Outlook Traveller's Best Low Cost Airline India (Feb 2009 and 2010) India
Award for Best website 'World Low Cost Airlines Asia Pacific Conference' at Singapore 2010
Best low fare airline in India, as per survey conducted by MaRS on behalf of Hindustan Times (December 2009)
World Travel Market Award for multi-channel approach in distribution, London (November 2009)
Best Employer Brand Award, for our employee best practises, from the Employer Branding Institute, Hyderabad (December 2009)


Incidents


On 9 September 2010, Spice Jet Flight 219 from Delhi to Kolkata had to return to the airport when the pilot noticed fire in an engine while taxiing around 6:40 pm for take-off. After having the problem fixed, the flight subsequent took-off around 8:20 pm. But just 15 minutes after take-off, the aircraft had to make an emergency landing at Delhi Airport after the pilot reported a fall in cabin pressure. All crew and passengers were safe and the aircraft was grounded.