IndiGo is Keen to Broaden Its Presence in the Oman Market

India’s largest airline, IndiGo is looking to establish new markets. Alongside this, it is looking to build upon its network from the already established destinations. It will connect more Indian cities internationally and increase frequencies in popular sectors. One such market is going to be Oman. IndiGo is interested in expanding its presence in the Oman market.

Oman Air: Keen to Expand Into India

IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers, during a discussion with Oman Observer, said that the airline is keen to expand operations in Oman. The market is big and there is enough room to grow. IndiGo will continue to build upon its existing network. The airline will not just increase its presence in Oman but will expand connectivity in the Gulf region. IndiGo is keeping all options open as the Middle East network is important.

When asked about the destinations to be served by the Airbus A350, he said that the first delivery is scheduled for 2027. So, the airline has three years to make the decision on the Airbus A350. Three years is a long time. A lot of market dynamics can change in this period.

Before this, the airline will receive the Airbus A321XLRs in 2025, with which it will expand its reach in Eastern Europe and Far East Asia. A321XLR will allow IndiGo to fly non-stop to destinations like Seoul, Tokyo, Athens, Shanghai, etc.

Elbers discussed the challenges in the Indian market. It is competitive and heavily cost-sensitive. The regulatory structure is not the best. There are issues related to weather. In winter, the fog in Delhi always disrupts operations. In southern India, heavy rains do the same.

Oman Network of IndiGo

In June 2013, IndiGo launched its inaugural services to Muscat. It connected Mumbai to Muscat by means of daily flights. Later on, it expanded the portfolio to include various cities on the Muscat network. At present, it connects Muscat to Hyderabad, Kochi, and Mumbai by daily flight.

In June 2022, Oman Airports released a press report, in which it assured that IndiGo will connect Muscat to Lucknow and Trivandrum and four and two weekly flights respectively. But the statement never materialized to reality.

In the past, it has connected Chennai, Delhi, and Kozhikode to Muscat, but because of low demand, it suspended these routes.

Currently, Muscat is connected to 14 Indian cities with Oman Air and its subsidiary, Salam Air being the largest operator in the market. In addition, Air India Express connects Kochi and Kozhikode to Salalah Airport.

Conclusion

IndiGo is looking to expand into the Oman market. The airline is expected to expand its presence in the Middle East market. The Gulf is an important region for the airline. It is undergoing a major internationalization process, under which it is now eyeing destinations lesser known among Indian citizens.

What do you think about the Oman expansion of IndiGo? Discuss in the comment section.