IndiGo to Launch Flights from Bangalore and New Delhi to Kuala Lumpur from November 15

Indian low-cost carrier Go IndiGo in November 2018 is launching service to Malaysia, as the airline this week announced service to Kuala Lumpur. The airline’s A320 aircraft will serve from Bangalore and Delhi.

Bangalore – Kuala Lumpur eff 15NOV18 7 weekly
6E1813 BLR1435 – 2110KUL 320 x2
6E1813 BLR1705 – 2340KUL 320 2

6E1814 KUL1140 – 1320BLR 320 x2
6E1814 KUL1430 – 1610BLR 320 2

Delhi – Kuala Lumpur eff 15NOV18 7 weekly
6E1821 DEL0255 – 1040KUL 320 x2
6E1821 DEL0545 – 1330KUL 320 2

6E1823 KUL0040 – 0330DEL 320 3
6E1822 KUL2205 – 0055+1DEL 320 x2

IndiGo will face stiff competition from AirAsia, Malindo Air and Malaysia Airlines. New Delhi is already connected with 25 weekly flights and Bengaluru by 18 weekly flights. Malaysia Airlines is an FSC but at times the fares are comparable to that of LCCs. AirAsia operates 4x weekly flights to Kuala Lumpur with New Delhi service on an Airbus A330 and 4x Bengaluru flights with an Airbus A320 aircraft. The majority of passengers use Kuala Lumpur as a transit. These airlines have an extensive Asia-Pacific network which passengers access through Kuala Lumpur. IndiGo will have O&D traffic but will it be enough to support daily operations?

William Boulter, Chief Commercial Officer, IndiGo said, “We are pleased to announce Kuala Lumpur as our 12th international destination effective November 2018. Malaysia provides a complete package for business travellers, holidaymakers, the meeting and conference segment. We see great potential on the India- Malaysia route due to the extensive cultural, business and tourism links between the two countries.” 

So what is IndiGo trying to do? IndiGo might be trying to use up available bilateral seat allocations on this route to dampen international expansion of AirAsia India on this route when they are ready to go international. It might be doing the same on other routes for the new entrants in Indian Aviation.