New Delhi, 02 November (H.S.): IndiGo Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Willie Walsh on Monday called for a reduction in airport charges and taxes in India, saying lower operating costs would create greater opportunities for the aviation sector to expand. He also stressed that all stakeholders in the industry needed to focus on controlling their respective cost bases to support sustainable growth.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Walsh said airport charges in India were considerably high and that reducing these levies, along with taxes, would help the country's aviation market realise its full potential.

He emphasised that all stakeholders in the aviation ecosystem needed to examine ways to bring down costs. Airlines, he said, expected airports to provide better value through improved facilities and more competitive pricing. He also pointed out that several airports effectively operated as monopolies, making greater attention to their pricing practices necessary.

Speaking at his first in-person media briefing since assuming charge as IndiGo CEO in August, Walsh also outlined the airline's long-haul expansion plans. He said IndiGo expected to begin receiving its wide-body Airbus A350 aircraft from the second quarter of 2028.

Walsh expressed confidence in the airline's ability to establish itself in the long-haul international market, saying IndiGo had all the necessary strengths to succeed in this segment.

He said the A350 aircraft would feature a three-class seating configuration comprising Business, Premium Economy and Economy. The Business Class section would include 16 fully flat-bed seats, alongside the other two cabin classes.

Walsh said the airline saw considerable growth opportunities and remained confident of navigating the challenges confronting the aviation industry. He reiterated that maintaining a competitive cost base would remain a key priority as IndiGo pursued its expansion plans.

The comments come at a challenging time for the airline, which reported a net loss of Rs. 1,879.1 crore in the July-September quarter. Higher aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices and the depreciation of the rupee weighed on its financial performance. Amid these cost pressures, the airline also reduced its capacity.

IndiGo currently operates more than 2,100 flights daily and has an operational fleet of over 400 aircraft.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar