GOA- FLY91 (IC), a regional airline headquartered in Goa, is preparing to commence its commercial flights on March 18. By the end of its inaugural year, the airline aims to have a workforce of around 350 employees.
Currently, FLY91 operates with two ATR 72-600 planes, with plans to enhance its fleet by incorporating four additional aircraft within the first year. The airline aims to achieve break-even within two years, establishing a profitable, sustainable, and scalable business model.
FLY91 Starts Flights Tomorrow
The airline adopts an approach of examining 24 airlines, comprising both successful and unsuccessful ones, to scrutinize the factors contributing to their outcomes.
Chacko emphasized the strategy, stating, “Let’s emulate the successful airlines’ practices and ensure we steer clear of the pitfalls encountered by failed airlines.”
Fly91’s Managing Director and CEO, Manoj Chacko, noted that the airline would benefit from Viability Gap Funding (VGF) under the regional air connectivity scheme UDAN, thereby obviating the immediate need to raise funds.
Chacko elaborated, “We also have VGF for the routes we have secured. Considering all the routes we have obtained and operating the full schedule will amount to approximately Rs 200 crore annually.”
Strengthening Connectivity in Southwest India
FLY91 will commence its operations with weekly flights, initially linking Goa’s Manohar International Airport to Bengaluru (BLR) and Hyderabad (HYD) and services connecting Sindhudurg in Maharashtra to Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
Future plans entail expanding services to Agatti, Pune, Jalgaon, and Nanded, with flights to Agatti in Lakshadweep set to commence in April.
The current staff strength of approximately 200 is expected to grow to around 350-360 by the end of the first operational year.
Chacko explained, “Currently, we have 200 staff with 2 aircraft. With 4 more aircraft on the way, another 100 staff will be added. We have two stations operational, and an additional three stations will require 50 staff. Therefore, the total staff count will be around 350-360 in the first year of operations.”
The regional airline obtained its air operator permit from the DGCA on March 6, beginning its journey towards offering regional air connectivity to passengers.
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