Seamless passenger transfer as Emirates, SpiceJet enters code sharing deal

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The passenger transfers at Dubai airport and service differentiation will not be an issue, said Dubai-based airline Emirates as it entered into a code share agreement with SpiceJet on Monday.
Emirates is the largest foreign airline operating to India and its home base, Dubai, is the largest overseas hub for Indian travellers.

Emirates and SpiceJet signed a memorandum of understanding for code shares which will allow passengers from India more travel options.

At present, Emirates operates from Terminal 3 while Spice Jet works from Terminal 1 in Dubai. Also, Emirates is a full service airline with first class and business cabins and full fledged loyalty programme while SpiceJet offers no frills and charges passengers for meals.

An Emirates spokesperson, however, said these issues will not impact passengers."There will be no change to the current transfer process between terminals at Dubai international airport. Passengers are transported via an inter terminal shuttle bus which operates between terminals every 20 minutes," Emirates said in a statement.

"It is not uncommon in codeshare partnerships to have mixed cabin itineraries and customers are not averse with this as a seamless connectivity and quicker overall journey takes priority. The codeshare partnership will enable Spicejet customers to experience Emirates’ renowned product and service," the airline added.


 Emirates said SpiceJet passengers travelling from Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Amritsar, Jaipur, Pune, Mangalore, Madurai, Kozhikode and 41 other domestic destinations that the airline operates to, will be able to access Emirates’ expansive network across the globe.

Tata Power may pull the plug on new coal power, says study

Company News

Tata Power, the country’s largest private integrated power producer, is likely to cease building new coal-based generation projects, shifting gears to renewable power sources, a study showed.

A report by the US-based Institute for Energy Economics & Financial Analysis (IEEFA) titled ‘Tata Power: Renewables to Power Growth’ spells out the company’s long-term strategy that will see renewable energy dominate its power capacity build-out going forward.

Presently, thermal power accounts for around 70 per cent of Tata Power’s portfolio. But the current energy mix is part of the company’s long-term legacy before 2013 when renewable energy was pricier compared with competitive coal-fired power.

“The company’s plan, ‘Strategic Intent 2025’ calls for up to 70 per cent of new capacity additions to come from solar, wind and hydro through to 2025. This represents a significant departure from the accepted wisdom of just a few years ago that a major expansion of coal-fired power would be required to serve India’s growing electricity demand”, said Simon Nicholas, energy finance analyst at IEEFA.

Tata Power’s debt laden and stranded power asset at Mundra (Gujarat) is viewed as the trigger for the company to abjure fresh coal-fired capacities.

“The Mundra plant is making consistent, significant losses that are dragging back the company’s overall financial performance. Tata Power’s experience at Mundra has helped convince the company to turn away from new coal-fired power”, Nicolas said.


 Tata Power had not responded to Business Standard’s questions sent by mail till the time this report was filed.