Six new regional airlines are expected to start operations this year, despite a majority of the existing companies recording a combined loss of over Rs 10,000 crore. These new airlines are Star Aviation, Zav Airways, King Airways, Sky King Aviation, Premier Airways and a cargo carrier have received permission to import aircraft and start operations in the country. According to a report in Economic Times by Chanchal Pal Chauhan, Chennai-based Star Aviation, promoted by Dubai-based real estate company ETA Star is likely to be the first to fly. It will start operations in June this year with three Embraer 72-seater aircraft initially and provide connectivity to Tier-II cities, mostly in south India. The airline will have a ten-aircraft fleet strength and will invest USD 300 million in the next 18 months.
Star Aviation Airline spokesperson informed that the airline plans to connect Hyderabad, Madurai, Ahmedabad, Visakhapatnam, Bangalore and Kochi with Chennai. It will be a Full-Service Carrier with a single-class configuration like another Chennai-based carrier, Paramount Airways. |