Flybig, a new-born regional airline is all set to launch its commercial service amid COVID19 pandemic in Northeast and Central India.
Officials of the airline company are optimistic that its commercial operations may start from mid-October in northeast India under the Ude Desk ka Aam Naagarik (UDAN) project.
In fact, Flybig will be the first airline company to launch commercial operations in India while the aviation sector has been badly hit because of COVID19 pandemic.
The airline is being promoted by Big Charter, and has received No Objection Certificate from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and is in the process of getting the Air Operators Certificate soon.
Flybig’s fleet of aircraft comprises of ATR-72-500s and the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)’s Dornier Do-228 (Upgraded) civil aircrafts.
Rajarshi Sen, CFO, Big Charter Pvt. Ltd said they are planning to launch flight services to many sectors in the North East, which are typically not airports but airstrips where the ATRs cannot operate.
The 17-seater Dornier Do-228 is an ideal aircraft to operate from the airstrips in the remote areas in Northeast India, Sen said.
Flybig has reportedly proposed sectors in some of the remote areas of Northeast India, especially in Arunachal Pradesh. It has also proposed to have a base in Guwahati.
The airline has bid for a minimum Viability Gap Funding (VGF) of Rs 313 crore for FY 2020-21. The VGF will be allowed for a period of three years from the date of allotment.