Union Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia virtually flagged off the inaugural flight of FLY91, a new regional airline, between Mopa in Goa and Agatti in Lakshadweep on Tuesday. This event marks a significant milestone in India’s aviation sector, particularly in enhancing regional connectivity and promoting tourism.
In his address during the virtual flag-off ceremony, Minister Scindia commended the initiative, highlighting the transformation in India’s civil aviation sector under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He noted the emergence of new airlines, including FLY91, as a positive development, contrasting with the closure of airlines witnessed over the past two decades.
FLY91’s entry into the market comes as part of the UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, which aims to promote affordable air travel and improve connectivity to underserved and unserved regions across India. The airline has been awarded 18 routes under the UDAN scheme, reflecting the government’s commitment to expanding regional air connectivity.
The inauguration of FLY91’s flights between Goa and Agatti Islands in Lakshadweep received praise from Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who emphasized its potential to boost tourism and the local economy. He highlighted the significance of connecting smaller cities and regions under the UDAN and ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ initiatives, which aim to promote domestic tourism and economic development.
FLY91, led by aviation industry veteran Manoj Chacko, is positioned as the “world’s most well-capitalised regional carrier.” The airline received its air operator’s certificate from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on March 6, paving the way for the commencement of commercial operations.
Initially, FLY91 plans to start commercial services connecting Goa to Bengaluru and Hyderabad from March 18. The airline intends to expand its operations further and launch direct flights from Goa to Lakshadweep’s Agatti Island by mid-April. This move will address the current lack of direct flight options to Lakshadweep, with the Kochi-Agatti route by Alliance Air being the sole existing option.
FLY91’s ambitious expansion plans include deploying 35 aircraft and connecting 50 cities across India over the next five years. This vision aligns with the government’s broader objective of enhancing regional connectivity and promoting air travel accessibility to remote and underserved areas.
The launch of FLY91 comes at a crucial time for India’s aviation sector, which is gradually recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. As travel restrictions ease and passenger confidence improves, there is growing demand for air travel, particularly to leisure destinations like Lakshadweep.
Moreover, FLY91’s entry into the market introduces competition and choice for travelers, driving innovation and service quality in the regional aviation segment. With its focus on customer satisfaction and operational efficiency, the airline aims to carve a niche for itself in the competitive aviation landscape.
The inauguration of FLY91’s flights between Goa and Lakshadweep represents a significant development in India’s aviation sector. It underscores the government’s commitment to expanding regional connectivity and promoting air travel accessibility across the country. As FLY91 embarks on its journey, it holds the promise of transforming regional air travel and contributing to the socio-economic development of the regions it serves.