India’s SpiceJet launches in Dubai

India’s low-cost carrier SpiceJet announced yesterday the launch of its operations in Dubai with daily flights to Delhi and Mumbai. SpiceJet’s Boeing 737-800s took off its first flights on Monday from Terminal 1 to the two Indian cities. “Dubai is a good market for our airlines, which is rare to find in other places. There has been more tourism to India besides the large Indian population in UAE who usually visit their homeland,” said Neil Mills, the CEO of SpiceJet. Booking started earlier this month and the airline has partnered with Dubai-based Sharaf Travel with a starting booking fee of Dh377 excluding taxes. Mill added the company is planning operate more routes to Dubai. “Some of the destinations we are looking to connect with Dubai at the Indian end are Kochi, Chennai and Hyderabad while in the Gulf we have Saudi Arabia as a new point,” said Mill in a statement. Dubai is the third international destination for the airline after Kathmandu and Colombo. SpiceJet also operates more than 275 daily flights to 34 Indian cities. From gulfnews