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The Jet Airways' temporary shutdown has become a boon to its rival airlines as the suspension of flights has freed the slots for others. Choked and busy slots of Mumbai and Delhi airports will now have space for flights of other airlines.
The government will now allot 280 slots at Mumbai and 160 at Delhi as well as those at other airports to Indian carriers for three months. This has come as a great opportunity for airlines ahead of the summer travel season.
Not only this, the Jet flights will also be given on lease to its rivals.
Ashwani Lohani, the chairman of Air India has asked the State Bank of India to give five Boeing 77 on the lease, to start new additional flights -- Mumbai to London and Dubai, and Delhi to London, Dubai, and Singapore. The chairman has also asked AI Express to consider taking in Jet Airlines' Boeing 737s.
Spicejet has also joined to tide over the shortage and has taken a large number of Boeing 737 on lease.
Spicejet, in its statement on Thursday, said, “Induct six more Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft on dry lease in addition to 16 B737s and 5 Q400s. The total number of planes to be inducted in the immediate future now stands at 27”.
It also announced 42 new flights to Mumbai and Delhi with other India n cities.
Air India has also announced "special stranded fares" of flights from London, Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong and Muscat to Mumbai and Delhi, for passengers of Jet Airlines' cancelled flights, as the government asked AI to charge a reasonable price.
After meeting AI, Spicejet and airport operators, aviation secretary PS Kharola said, "75 planes used on domestic routes have gone out of the system and most of them have gone due to Jet grounding. Other Indian carriers have bought 58 planes in the last five months. The capacity drop currently is of 17 planes. Other airlines have ensured us to induct 31 more planes in May, June, and July as per normal induction plans and they may get leases for another 20-plus. We have requested all airlines to expedite induction of aircraft as summer demand for travel is very strong."
