Six new regional airlines may take off this year

New Delhi: Half-a-dozen 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.
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.
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 with three Embraer 72-seater aircraft initially and provide connectivity to tier-II cities, mostly in south India. The airline will have a 10-aircraft fleet strength and will invest $300 million in the next 18 months. Star Aviation plans to connect Hyderabad, Madurai, Ahmedabad, Visakhapatnam, Bangalore and Kochi with Chennai, the airlines spokesperson said. It will be a full-service carrier with a single-class configuration like another Chennai-based carrier, Paramount Airways.
Kolkata-based Kishore Zaveri-owned Zav Airways is another regional carrier planning operations in the east and north-east, with two Bombardier 80-seater and 70-seater planes.
King Airways will focus on north India and Sky King Aviation on the north-east.
20/03/09 Chanchal Pal Chauhan/Economic Times

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Categories: King Airways Mar 2009, New Mar 2009, Premier Airways Mar 2009, Regional Airlines Mar 2009, Sky King Aviation Mar 2009, Star Aviation Mar 2009, ZAV Air Mar 2009