Wadia Group-owned low-cost carrier (LCC) GoAir has said that strategic partnership with a foreign airline could help it consolidate its presence in the Indian market and develop its international presence.
The airline’s Italy-born CEO, Giorgio De Roni, did not rule out the possibility of GoAir joining a global airline alliance.
The Mumbai-based no-frills carrier is said to be in talks with Qatar Airways among others for an investment deal.
“The (GoAir) management is working on an idea of a strategic partnership to strengthen the company and to help it in future growth. We have a significant number of aircraft to be delivered in the near future and a strategic partnership will consolidate our presence in the Indian market and also our development in international market,” Roni said.
“The decision will be taken by shareholders,” he added.
Roni said that while LCCs are normally not interested in alliances “the evolution is so fast that I would not exclude a partnership with a network carrier ... to have some opportunities”.
He also did not rule out a code-share with a foreign carrier. “As a management, we must be open to interact in the market and analyse if there is an opportunity to deliver better results to our shareholders,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}He also did not rule out a code-share with a foreign carrier. “As a management, we must be open to interact in the market and analyse if there is an opportunity to deliver better results to our shareholders,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}GoAir, Roni said, had delivered a “good profit” last financial year. The first quarter of 2013-14 “was the best ever in GoAir history,” he said, adding “we are fully confident of delivering a profit this year as well.”