Kalanithi Maran-promoted lCC SpiceJet has denied that there was any move on its part to talk with Qatar Airways or any other airline for either selling of stake or sell off of overseas slots and that it had written to the BSE clarifying this.
Sanjiv Kapoor, CEO, Spicejet termed it as ‘completely baseless’ that reports of the Indian carrier was selling some of its slots to Qatar Airways or any other airline. "SpiceJet has sent a statement to the Bombay Stock Exchange, saying it ‘denies having any discussion with Qatar Airways for the sale of overseas slots, as reported. We also confirm that there is no truth whatsoever in the scheduling of a meeting to discuss investment plans with Qatar Airways."
He, however, said a few investors had evinced interest in the company and, besides, the promoters were pumping in money into the airline. SpiceJet recently posted a loss of over Rs 1,000 crore for fiscal 2014. "We have been in discussions (with investors) and.... when the time is right we will take a decision," Kapoor said without elaborating. He also said that the airline had has sought regulatory approvals for operating 7,000 seats a week to Qatar and talks were on with certain investors who had evinced interest in investing in it.
Kapoor said the airline has applied to DGCA for allowing rights to fly 7,000 seats a week to Qatari capital of Doha. The airline currently flies to Dubai, Sharjah and Muscat in the Gulf. Replying to questions on international operations, he said SpiceJet was considering to fly to Dhaka soon and was likely to add more flights to Dubai when repair works being carried out on the runways there were over.
He said it was also mulling adding frequencies to Kabul and resuming flights to Bangkok when the political situation improves there. "Down the road, flights are also being considered for Hong Kong but we will review that again," Kapoor said, adding that increasing frequency of flights in the domestic market over the next few months was also on the anvil. He, however, did not give any further details.
Regarding its fleet induction programme, the SpiceJet COOsaid the airline would have 38 Boeing 737s by the year-end, which seat between 189 and 212 passengers. It also has 15 78- seater Bombardier Q-400s which it already operates.To questions on its financials, Kapoor said, "You can’t turn an ocean liner around overnight, but we are starting to move in the right direction. Turnaround will be very visible soon."On the pay package for its pilots and cabin crew, he indicated that the package could undergo a hike soon and "we will have to make up for the additional cost by enhancing productivity", including better crew rostering and lesser number of overnight halts, especially at foreign stations.
SpiceJet also announced partnership with aircatering firm TajSats and Cafe Coffee Day to offer all new and enhanced menu of food on its flights from today, with the two partners handling all the airline’s catering.The in-flight food could be booked on its website at a discounted rate of up to 25 per cent relative to on-board prices. Pre-booking of food would be available up to 24 hours before the flight departure.
Kapoor said that SpiceJet was working towards becoming like a JetBlue or Virgin America by pursuing its business model in terms of being "a hybrid" between a no-frill and a full-service carrier or a "modern low-cost carrier".Besides having more leg room for the premium economy seats in the first five rows of the aircraft, "we have redesigned routes to be more attractive for corporate customers," he said, adding that the airline was also spending on marketing to encourage people to try it.