Manoj Chacko (First from left)
The airline presently has two ATR-72 and can get 4 extra by September after which it plans so as to add six turboprops yearly over the subsequent 5 years.
“We begin operations within the subsequent few days and have 5 stations to start with — Goa, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Agatti, Sindhudurg after which Jalgaon, Pune and Nanded shortly thereafter. We’ll begin flights between Goa & Agatti and Bengaluru & Agatti. Initially, these shall be twice or thrice weekly and by mid-June our Agatti flights shall be each day,” mentioned Chacko, who has labored in senior positions in Emirates, American Specific, SOPTC, Kingfisher and WNS (a worldwide enterprise course of administration firm). As of now, Alliance Air is the one airline that flies to Lakshadweep 9 occasions weekly on Kochi-Agatti-Kochi route.
Based mostly at Goa Mopa airport, Fly 91 has been launched with an preliminary funding of Rs 200 crore. It’s got Udan routes beneath which (topic to working these flights) it is going to get Rs 200 crore yearly over the subsequent three years. “We’re properly funded and have a powerful skilled staff to run the airline. In 5 years we plan to have a fleet of 32 ATRs,” Chacko mentioned.
What explains the selection of the Goa-Agatti route?
“Goa is the constitution capital of India with plane flying in from a number of locations like Russia and the UK. A direct flight to Agatti will discover many takers. Additionally a honeymooners come to Goa. They’ll break up their keep between the 2 locations,” he mentioned.
The common flight time of various Fly 91 routes shall be 55-90 minutes. “We shall be providing buy-on-board service for snacks and drinks. 5 to 6 rows of the 18 rows could have seat choice cost.”
With India now two giant airways — IndiGo and Tata Group airways led by Air India — how does Fly 91 see itself. Massive airways are recognized to have achieved community mirroring — launching flights on routes of startup or small airways at virtually the identical time by pricing them a couple of hundred decrease. IndiGo operates ATRs. Publish Air India’s divestment, Alliance Air (which function ATRs) is the one state-owned mounted wing airline. “I’m right here to supply last-mile connectivity and never compete with anybody. However to co-exist,” Chacko says.
