A low-cost budget airline based in Mumbai, GoAir is promoted by the Wadia Group. The airline was established in June 2004 just when the civil aviation sector was booming. Mid-June 2005, GoAir announced intentions to launch operations by October 2005 with a fleet of 20 Airbus A320 aircraft taken on lease. In the first year, the airline had planned to operate nine aircraft, confining operations to the southern and western regions of the country. The airline had plans to add another 11 aircraft in the second year. Long term plans, which appeared somewhat ambitious, called for the purchase of between 20 and 40 new aircraft. The contract was to be finalised by the end of 2005 and with deliveries commencing in 2007.
The airline finally commenced operations on November 4, 2005. An order for 10 aircraft from the Airbus A320 family with options for additional 10 was made public in July 2006. In mid-January 2007, GoAir announced its plans to sell a large minority ownership position to muster funds for expansion.
Showcased as The People’s Airline, GoAir is the brainchild of Jeh Wadia, who is its Managing Director. Experience the Difference is the airlines’ theme and its objective is to offer passengers consistent quality through affordable fares. That theme or slogan was given up a year ago in favour of Fly Smart. GoAir’s business model has been created on the theme punctuality, affordability and convenience. According to CEO Edgardo Badiali, to save costs though, we will induct new aircraft and expand fleet, without adding new routes. This will help in reaping economies of scale. GoAir plans to utilise new aircraft primarily by increasing frequency on existing routes.
