IndiGo to expand flight services from Kerala: CEO Pieter Elbers shares plans | INTERVIEW

Kozhikode: IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers announced that the airline will expand flight service network, even from airports in Kerala. The move aims to strengthen its domestic and international routes as part of its growth strategy.

IndiGo currently operates domestic and international services from Kochi, Kozhikode, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kannur airports. According to Pieter Elbers, the airline is expanding its services due to the growing demand. “IndiGo currently operates more than 2,200 daily flights, and the new projects will be finalised by the end of next month,” Elbers said.

What is the secret behind IndiGo's success?

Our approach is to offer better service to passengers at affordable prices, which has been our focus since our inception in August 2006. This commitment has steadily increased our acceptance. Despite being the largest airline in India, we continue to prioritise excellent service for our customers, with over 10 crore passengers as testimony to this.

Will there be more flights from Kozhikode to Gulf countries?

We are considering it, as we know there is a high demand for flights to the Gulf. Naturally, we aim to enhance Gulf connectivity. Currently, we operate eight domestic services and four international flights from Kozhikode, with plans to introduce more direct flights to South Asian countries.

What Is IndiGo’s market share in Kerala?

Haven't paid attention to the market share in Kerala as such. Across India, our market share is 63.6 percent. We operate domestic flights to 90 destinations and international flights to 38 destinations, totalling 128 routes. Of these, 20 have been added in the last two years. We are now the seventh-largest airline in the world, servicing remote and diverse locations globally.

What led to the organisation of a large-scale heritage walk in Kozhikode?

Heritage walks have been organised in cities of historical significance, including Shillong, Prayagraj, and Bhubaneswar, aiming to raise awareness and appreciation of our cultural heritage. More such walks will be held in other cities, with Kozhikode selected for its literary history and long-standing international connections.