Mumbai: GoAir, the low-cost carrier from the Wadia group, on Thursday said it will start its international operations from October 11.

The airline will begin by offering direct flights to Phuket in Thailand from Delhi and Mumbai.

This will be followed by its second international service, connecting Mumbai and Delhi to Male in Maldives, from October 14. These destinations will also be connected from Bangalore in the future.

The Mumbai-based airline will be the sixth domestic carrier to have international operations.

GoAir became eligible to fly overseas two years ago when it took delivery of its 20th aircraft, which was also the first Airbus A320neo for the airline.

Cornelis Vrieswijk, CEO of GoAir, said the foray into foreign destinations comes after the airline completed more than a decade of domestic operations. GoAir will continue to operate its A320 aircraft in all operations and on both these international routes, he added.

With the introduction of these flights, the airline will increase its operations by 28 flights to 1,680 flights per week.

"Phuket and Male are key tourist destinations and hold a lot of promise. As a low-cost carrier, we have strived to offer the best value for money to our customers and now we extend this proposition to the international traveller as well. The international schedules have been planned to allow quick and convenient connections for customers," he said.

GoAir will operate three direct flights every week between Mumbai and Phuket at a return fare starting at Rs 18,999 (all inclusive). There will be two direct flights per week from the national capital at the same fare. Similarly, it will operate three direct flights every week between Mumbai and Male at a return fare starting from Rs 17,999 and two direct flights every week from Delhi at the same fare.

The bookings for the maiden international flight began on Thursday, sources said.

GoAir operates over 1,544 weekly flights across 23 destinations with a fleet of 38 Airbus A320 planes, including 19 A320neos. Other airlines to have international flights are national carrier Air India, its subsidiary Air India Express and private carriers Jet Airways, IndiGo and SpiceJet.