Hyderabad : SpiceJet Ltd, India’s preferred budget airline, and Tigerair, Singapore’s largest budget airline, have signed a three-year interline agreement to pave the way for greater connectivity between flights operated by both carriers.

SpiceJet is the first Indian low fare airline to establish such an arrangement with a foreign airline. This partnership will result in a major boost for tourism and business travel between the two countries.

Starting from 6th January 2014, customers travelling on SpiceJet’s domestic network from 14 Indian cities can enjoy seamless connection through Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport onto Tigerair’s Singapore-bound flights.

The 14 Indian cities are Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Chennai, Kolkata, Coimbatore, Delhi, Goa, Indore, Mangalore, Madurai, Pune, Bengaluru, Tirupati, and Visakhapatnam (Vizag). Introductory promotional fare, start from Rs 4,699 one way (all-in) and return starting from Rs 9998/- (all–in).

Starting from 12th January 2014, Tigerair customers from Singapore will also enjoy easy access to SpiceJet’s wide domestic network, making their holiday and business travel more seamless.

“We are glad to announce the interline partnership that brings two leading low fare Asian carriers together. This is a historic moment for SpiceJet and Tigerair. This partnership will hugely benefit travelers from India and Singapore, and represents one of the building blocks of the emerging new SpiceJet,” said SpiceJet Ltd Chief Operating Officer Sanjiv Kapoor.

Group Chief Commercial Officer of Tigerair Mr Alexander Knigge said, “India is one of our key markets and we are excited to expand our footprint there through this interline partnership with SpiceJet. We look forward to build a win-win partnership and delivering even more travel options to our customers.”

Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, run by GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd (GHIAL) will be the first Indian airport to facilitate the connecting flights between SpiceJet and Tigerair. The airport will provide a free porter service to facilitate the collection and transfer of checked-in baggage for passengers travelling on connecting flights between the two airlines.

On this occasion, Mr SGK Kishore, CEO, GHIAL, said, “Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad is delighted to be the catalyst in bringing together SpiceJet and Tigerair to create, for the first time in India, an interline product which will have immense benefits travelers, the two airlines, and to the Hyderabad Airport.”

“This partnership complements and reinforces Hyderabad Airport’s strong positioning as South & Central India’s gateway. We are committed to driving the success of this product as a part of the Fly via Hyderabad campaign which is ongoing in 14 catchment cities.”

“Hyderabad Airport is truly the preferred choice for passengers to make seamless and convenient transfers. Our world class airport experience offers passengers with a variety of leisure and F&B options during their transit via Hyderabad. The regional connectivity built by SpiceJet with the Q400 base at Hyderabad Airport will facilitate growth in Tigerair’s traffic to Singapore,” Mr Kishore added

Source : Sachin Murdeshwar