Free broadband as SpiceJet brings back Boeing 737 MAX after 2 years

New Delhi:

The Boeing 737 MAX jetliner, which lay on the ground for more than 2 years after two fatal air crashes killed 346 people, has since “went through the largest scrutiny of any aircraft in history” and today ” safest aircraft”. world,” says Ajay Singh, chairman and managing director of SpiceJet, which has started flights using the aircraft. SpiceJet started flying this aircraft two days ago. And so far, in all the flights we have flown, there is not even the slightest problem.

Low-cost carrier SpiceJet, one of India’s largest airlines, has relied heavily on Boeing 737 MAX planes, of which 13 of the total orders for 205 jets have already been secured. The total value of the deal is $22 billion and the airline is expected to resume supplies of the aircraft from December as it ramps up its operations at a time when domestic aviation is rapidly accelerating to pre-Covid levels. “Having a fuel efficient aircraft is incredibly important. The Max is 20% more fuel efficient than our older aircraft, the Boeing 737-NG,” says Mr. Singh.

Apart from greater fuel efficiency, the Max offers a whole new experience for the budget traveller. The legroom is bigger than the older variants of the Boeing 737 and streaming broadband services will be available for the first time in the Indian market from next month. “To begin with, it’s going to be free, we’re going to make sure that people are able to access the net completely and properly in broadband mode. We probably won’t allow calls, Because it will cause trouble to other passengers. But everything else,” says the SpiceJet chairman.

The civil aviation sector has been one of the worst-hit sectors in the Indian economy during the COVID period – the financial health of all airlines in India has been massively affected, including SpiceJet, which is struggling to survive . There have been widespread layoffs in the industry, along with massive cost-cutting to keep companies alive. SpiceJet has witnessed protests among its ground workers in New Delhi over outstanding salary arrears. “First of all, all pay cuts have been reinstated. All the employees have been paid in full for the last two or three months,” says Mr. Singh. “We had the option of either laying off a lot of people or saying okay, you know, we have a fixed amount which We get that from our charter revenue and from cargo and so on. And we will distribute this money so that we don’t lay off anyone.”

Despite the overall state of the aviation industry, Ajay Singh was among two bidders in Air India, the government-run giant that has just been acquired by the Tata group. “Of course, I was disappointed” says Mr. Singh at not winning the bid. “I was very drawn to SpiceJet. But it is such a challenge that you get once in a lifetime. And I thought you know, what’s the point of being in aviation if you’re not ready to take on the biggest challenge that exists? Bidding in his personal capacity, Mr Singh bid Rs 15,100 crore. , Although Air India was never bought, he is very happy that the airline has been disinvested. He says that Tata has the means and resources to rebuild the Air India brand. Air India as a brand belongs to all of us Indians. I wish them all the best. I hope they revive this brand.

For now, however, Ajay Singh’s priority will be to pass through the ultra-competitive Indian civil aviation sector – one that will see new entrants in the next year – to Rakesh Jhunjhunwala’s Akasa Airlines, a new Air India owned by Tatas and a backer. Is. -The-dead Jet Airways which now has a new investor. “Competition brings out the best in everyone. And so that’s positive. But it also promotes war. And that’s not good, especially in a market where costs are so high. So, one would expect rational pricing.” .”

For now, the customer remains the king in Indian aviation – with new airlines, more competition and new routes, there is an increasing abundance of options for fliers.