Start-up Singaporean low-cost, long-haul carrier Scoot and fast-growing Indian budget carrier IndiGo have selected Route Exchange, the online trading zone for network development, to support their plans for growth. The two carriers will next week formally launch official Request for Proposals (RFPs) to airports across the globe through the platform as they look to expand into new markets. Asian low-cost, long-haul carrier AirAsia X was the first to use this platform to support its network strategy last year.
Scoot, the new medium and long-haul, low-cost division of Singapore Airlines (SIA), was formally launched on November 1, 2011 and plans to inaugurate operations mid-year initially using four Boeing 777-200s purchased from its parent company. It has already announced plans to launch services to Australia but is also looking at other markets for development.
The airline is targeting potential destinations in North Asia, Indian sub-Continent, Middle East and Europe. It will launch its RFP on January 16, 2012 and this will focus on China, the wider Asian market and Europe. Scoot is due to take delivery of two additional 777-200s during the first quarter of 2013 and is looking at potential destinations within these target areas for a proposed April 2013 launch.
“We at Scoot view Route Exchange as the perfect platform to deliver the significant opportunity that this RFP will provide to airports, offering a transparent process to everybody,” said Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer, Scoot.
Indian carrier IndiGo has emerged as one of the leading operators in this fast expanding market. It launched operations in August 2006 and is currently the third largest domestic carrier in the country by available seat capacity. Last year it expanded into the international market for the first time with links to Bangkok, Dubai, Kathmandu, Muscat and Singapore.
It is its ambitions to grow its international footprint that will be supported through its RFP with Route Exchange which will be launched on January 16, 2012. The airline is seeking to gather information and data to develop an international network that not only complements the existing international connectivity to and from India, but also enhances and improves connectivity from India to destinations otherwise unconnected with the country, either non-stop or via one of its existing international destination.
IndiGo currently operates a fleet of almost 50 Airbus A320s and has outstanding orders for over 200 more aircraft, including the new enhanced A320neo variant. The airline is looking to deploy four or five aircraft on international routes in each IATA schedule period, subject to allocation of traffic rights from the Indian Government, and the RFP will focus on markets in Asia, the Middle East, China and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
Route Exchange, part of Routesonline, is the online trading zone for network development and provides airlines and airports with a secure and trusted platform from which to exchange data and information. Airlines issue their Request for Proposals (RFPs) online where they can specify their particular criteria on how an airport should approach a new service agreement and detail target markets with a particular focus on their data/support requirements. Then, using the unique Route Exchange messaging system, airports can deliver new route proposals directly to the airlines’ network planning team.
“We are delighted that both Scoot and IndiGo will be requesting proposals from airports via the Route Exchange. It will allow them to source data and information in line with their chosen criteria and target markets,” said Paul Winfield, Airline Director, Routes. “Route Exchange simply facilitates the process of gathering this data and allows them to deal directly with airports online in a cost and time efficient manner. Both airlines are pro-active in their approach to route development and we wish them every success in gathering the information they require”.
As mentioned above, both RFPs will be launched on Monday 16th January and will mark the first time that Routesonline has hosted two airline RFP projects simultaneously.
Connect with Scoot via Route Exchange
Connect with IndiGo via Route Exchange
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