SpiceJet will soon be launching a nationwideMARKETING

India and Jet Airways to increase itsMARKET

campaign for brand awareness as it competes with Air

share. The airline added three more turboprop Bombardier Q400

planes this week increasing its fleet to 51 planes.

It added 29 planes in little over two years adding new routes on domestic and international sectors but the airline
management is yet to take a call on capacity expansion.
SpiceJet Chief Executive Officer Neil Mills said the airline will need more data and evaluate the aircraft's performance
before committing to purchase additional Bombardier Q400 planes. "It is not a macro economic issue," he said.
A single Q400 which seats 72 passengers costs about $30 million and SpiceJet has an option to purchase additional
15 planes which would cost it $450 million.
"In over a year, we have grown from zero to 104 flights on the Q400. About a third of all our flights and 20% of
passengers share come from the turboprop fleet. We are comfortable with the planes," he stated.
Mills said the airline was witnessing growth in passenger and revenue in the third quarter but refused to share further
details.
SpiceJet has aMARKET

share of 19.5% and is also adding new routes on international network including Dubai,

Male, Colombo, Guangzhou and Riyadh. Mills said the airline is launching a marketing campaign next month to
popularise the brand.
Last month, its Chairman Kalanithi Maran decided to infuse Rs 180 crore through convertible debentures and
warrants increasing his stake by another 5% to 53%. Mills said part of the funds had already been infused and
process will be complete by end of theFINANCIAL

year.

Media reports last month about resignation of Kalanithi Maran and his wife, Kavery Maran from one of the
holding companies triggered the speculation on a possible sale of the Maran familys majority stake in the airline.
However, the group denied any stake sale, except that it is talking to some private equity players. "It is premature to
talk about the talks with potential investors," Mills stated.