SpiceJet also says that it was in advance discussion to secure slots for the winter schedule for regular operations
Indian budget airline SpiceJet has secured slots at London Heathrow airport to operate flights from September 1.
“The flight services will be carried out under the bubble arrangement between India and the UK and are effective up to October 23, 2020 – end of summer schedule,” the airline said in a regulatory filing.
“These slots, under the air bubble pact, will later be extended to operate regular flight services, once India resumes international flight services,” the airline said.
India has suspended all international flights since March 22, in the wake of travel restrictions imposed due to the Corona pandemic.
An air bubble is a bilateral arrangement with a set of regulations and restrictions in which the carriers of the two countries can operate international flights.
“London is one of the busiest long-haul destinations from India and this is a huge milestone for SpiceJet,” SpiceJet chairman and managing director Ajay Singh said.
“Providing non-stop connectivity from India to different parts of the world, which in turn strengthens our own airport hubs, is a dream that we have long cherished and this is a small step in that direction,” he added.
Singh also said the identical arrival/departure slots the carrier has secured at Heathrow should suit the convenience of its passengers perfectly.
SpiceJet also said that it was in “advance discussion to secure slots for the winter schedule for regular operations.”
The winter schedule of airlines in India commences from the last Saturday of October and lasts up to the last week of March every year.
On July 24, the budget carrier had announced that it was designated as “Indian scheduled carrier” to operate flight services to the UK from India.
National carrier India is the only domestic airline currently flying between India and the UK.
