IndiGo sees significant rise in corporate flyers: CEO Elbers

India’s largest airline IndiGo is witnessing a spike in corporate traffic to the extent of 56% of the passenger load factor on some flights, Chief Executive Officer Pieter Elbers said.

The airline launched its new 6E Eats menu on 1 September on all domestic and international flights. This includes options comprising new regional delicacies while continuing the traditionally popular items such as the Chicken Junglee Sandwich, 6E ‘Choice of the Day’ along with the popular Ready-to-Eat meals.

The airline has also introduced ‘Snacks on the Plane’, an on-the-go, custom-crafted snack bag comprising an assortment of sweet and savoury items, including a serving of juice.

Further, the airline is also working to put in place a loyalty programme, often offered by full-service carriers.

The Gurugram-based airline has also set a clear goal to become a global aviation giant from being largely known as a domestic carrier currently.

The airline placed an order of 500 narrow-body A320neo family aircraft with Airbus at the Paris air show in June this year, taking the pending order book to nearly 980 aircraft.

The Gurugram-based airline is the largest airline in the domestic segment with a market share of 63.3% and 15.7% in the international air traffic to and from India, as per data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Elbers, who completed one year as the head of IndiGo earlier this month, also reiterated that India needs large airlines with massive fleet sizes to make the country a hub to the likes that exist in Singapore and the Middle East.

He also added that there is a need for more discussions on whether we have enough direct international connectivity.