Scoot, low-cost sister of Singapore Airlines, is excited about new opportunities in India and is looking forward to expanding its Indian network. India is one of the most sought-after destinations, not just for Scoot but for many US, UK and Middle Eastern Airlines. 

Scoot currently operates direct flights from six Indian cities namely Amritsar, Chennai, Coimbatore, Trichy, Visakhapatnam and Thiruvananthapuram to Singapore,

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The general manager of Scoot, Brian Torrey revealed the LCC’s plans during a media briefing in New Delhi, today. “Scoot offers unique pricing of tickets for Indian travellers, including those travelling beyond Singapore. Besides, Scoot is also reviewing new opportunities in India for expansion,” Torrey said. 

India’s rising middle and upper middle class with increasing per capita income and purchasing power are lucrative target passengers for Scoot. As India’s upper middle-class population increases, the number of people affording air travel also rises in tandem. This new upper middle class is ready to spend, travel-hungry and eager to explore new destinations – This equation fits just about right with almost all the airlines in the world, including Scoot making India a lucrative market for aviation. 

Meanwhile Torrey expressed hope for changes/expansion in the India-Singapore bilateral air service agreement to include more airports and more routes on the back of India’s rapid growth in airport infrastructure with more airports in Tier II and Tier III cities along with modernisation and expansion of older airports. 

As per the existing bilateral air service agreement between India and Singapore

    • Singapore is connected by air to 24 cities in India

    • These include 6 metros and 18 Tier II cities

Although Torrey’s hoped for a change in the agreement, he added that the final call rests with the governments of the two countries. “Scoot is constantly evaluating network expansion opportunities in India, but there is no plan to launch a new service in the immediate-to-near term,” Torrey added. 

Meanwhile, Singapore Airlines and Scoot have direct connectivity to 13 Indian cities. Singapore Airlines connects to almost all major metros in India along with some Tier II cities while Scoot operates 40 weekly flights connecting Singapore to Chennai, Amritsar, Tiruchirappalli, Coimbatore, Thiruvananthapuram, and Visakhapatnam. Scoot has deployed its B787s and A320s on Indian routes. 

Meanwhile, just as Air India merges with Vistara, Singapore Airlines will have a 25.1 percentage stake in Air India.