Govt okays import of jet for Surat-Mumbai air taxi

Surat: The Surat-Mumbai air taxi could soon be a reality as the proposal of the Mumbai-based air service company interested in the project to import a 19-seater LET 410 aircraft for non-scheduled air transport services for Gujarat has been approved by the ministry of civil aviation.
A group of diamantaires led by the Lexus group are in talks with Maritime Energy Heli Air Services Private Limited (MEHAIR) to connect Surat and Mumbai and other destinations in Gujarat with a 19-seater aircraft. The move comes after Air India rejected repeated requests by diamantaires and textile tycoons to connect Surat with Mumbai.
MEHAIR is looking for investors for its project to connect Surat-Mumbai and other destinations in Gujarat with a 19-seater aircraft. The company has asked a firm commitment of 100 hours per flying month for a period of 24 months.
Now, that the civil aviation ministry has given the permission to import the aircraft, the company officials have expedited talks with the diamantaires led by Lexus group to sign an agreement at the earliest, so that the Surat-Mumbai air taxi services can be started before Diwali.
21/09/11 Melvyn Thomas/Times of India

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Categories: airports Sep 2011, New Sep 2011