‘SpiceJet to launch a JV startup airline in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE’: Ajay Singh
NEW DELHI: In a first, an Indian carrier is planning to start a JV airline abroad. SpiceJet is going to apply to launch an airline in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), one of the seven emirates of the UAE. So far only foreign carriers have invested to start or run JV airlines here like erstwhile ModiLuft (now SpiceJet), grounded Jet Airways, Vistara and AirAsia India.
SpiceJet CMD Ajay Singh said his budget airlines is finalising paperwork to apply for getting the start-up airline licence in RAK, which does not have a home airline of its own. RAK Airways used to be the national carrier of this emirate but the 2006-founded carrier ceased operation in January 2014.
“As per substantial ownership and effective control norms, we will have 49% stake in the proposed airline and 51% will be with a local partner for which talks are on. Since RAK does not have a home base airline, they will incentivise us. We already have over 200 Boeing 737 Max on order and (once these planes start flying again) we can deploy some with that airline. Anyway we are looking at ordering more planes,” Singh said.
