Air India Express reports strong response to launch domestic services.

Air India Express Profile

The carrier is seeking three additional aircraft to meet strong forecast demand for September-October 2005. Four leased B737-800s will be delivered from January-April 2006, while the carrier expects the government will approve a purchase order for 18 B737-800s by July-August 2005, for delivery from Winter 2006.

Air India Express commenced three times weekly service on the Mumbai-Abu Dhabi-Muscat and Delhi-Abu-Dhabi-Muscat sectors on 23/24 May, following the signing of an expanded bilateral air services agreement with Oman (See separate report in this edition of The Monthly for more information). Frequency will rise to six per week from June.

Air India plans to introduce low cost subsidiary, Air India Express, into the domestic market in 2006. Meanwhile, Air India Express has appointed Emirates Trading Agency as General Sales Agent for Dubai. The carrier was unable to reach agreement with Air India's long-time partner, Dnata Agencies.

Other Air India Express News

• Air India Express compliance in key areas reviewed by DGCA
• Air India Express flight of IX-212 of 26-May
• Air India Express meets all regulatory requirements
• Air India Express receives seventeenth owned aircraft into fleet
• Air India's newest flight services fly passengers from Abu Dhabi to Tiruchirapally and Chennai in southern India.
• Air India Express takes delivery of B737-800 aircraft
• Air India Express selects Ameco Beijing for Boeing 737 aircraft overhauls
• Air India Express to operate all women crew flight
• Air India Express launches Kolkata-Dhaka service
• Air India Express inducts 12th new B737-800 aircraft, to start operations to Kuwait