It's difficult being a new airline in India
Cruising Heights|April - May 2021
Surviving as a new airline is difficult – in fact, unimaginable – in India. Witness the number of carriers that that have vanished without a trace. AMEYA JOSHI details the reasons why startup airlines are smothered by the larger entities.
AMEYA JOSHI
It's difficult being a new airline in India

In the last days of 2020, the year most dreaded by the aviation community worldwide, a new airline took to the skies in India. Flybig, as the airline was named, had already operated its first flight between w and Delhi albeit with a SpiceJet aircraft! The airline announced a route network which would connect its base Indore with Raipur, Ahmedabad, and connect Ahmedabad with Bhopal.

Within days of announcing the routes, India’s largest airline by fleet and domestic market share – IndiGo – launched flights between Ahmedabad and Bhopal. A new airline like Flybig was hunted even before it could venture into the wild forest. Flybig has been cancelling flights, combining frequencies as it manages to plug the cash burn to sustain in current times where traffic is impacted further due to a rising second wave of COVID-19 infections and new travel restrictions across the country.

Flybig is not the first one in this saga! A staggering 14 airlines have merged or closed down in India in the last two decades! These include the likes of Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines which have been backed by powerful promoters yet raked up a few thousand crores in debt leading to their eventual fall as all sources of funding dried up and the airlines were not in a position to make money to cover its operating cost and pay for the interest over its existing debt.

Bu hikaye Cruising Heights dergisinin April - May 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Cruising Heights dergisinin April - May 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

CRUISING HEIGHTS DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
Adani Airport Thales Forge Strategic Partnership to Improve Airport Operations and Passenger Experience in India
Cruising Heights

Adani Airport Thales Forge Strategic Partnership to Improve Airport Operations and Passenger Experience in India

Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL), the largest private airport operator in India, and Thales, a global leader in advanced technologies, today announced a strategic partnership to revolutionise AAHL’s international airport operations and passenger experience across the country.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
ADVANCING AIR MOBILITY OVERCOMING CHALLENGES, SEIZING OPPORTUNITIES
Cruising Heights

ADVANCING AIR MOBILITY OVERCOMING CHALLENGES, SEIZING OPPORTUNITIES

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), as analysed by M P RAJASEKHARAN, explores solutions for reducing urban congestion and enhancing access to remote locations through sustainable, automated air transport systems, addressing key challenges and future opportunities in this evolving sector.

time-read
10+ dak  |
November 2024
ON THE CUSP OF GROWTH
Cruising Heights

ON THE CUSP OF GROWTH

The growth of regional airlines in India will increase the market for regional jetliners.

time-read
10 dak  |
November 2024
BOEING STRIKE DISRUPTS INDIAN CARRIERS' EXPANSION PLANS
Cruising Heights

BOEING STRIKE DISRUPTS INDIAN CARRIERS' EXPANSION PLANS

The Boeing machinist strike has stalled aircraft deliveries, directly affecting Akasa Air and Air India Express, both of which are now facing delays in their fleet expansion efforts, highlights

time-read
6 dak  |
November 2024
REGIONAL AIRPORTS MUSHROOMING WITH CHALLENGES GALORE
Cruising Heights

REGIONAL AIRPORTS MUSHROOMING WITH CHALLENGES GALORE

Karnataka's push for regional air connectivity has led to a surge in airport infrastructure, yet many of these airports face challenges like fluctuating demand and limited flight frequencies. While the UDAN scheme has supported growth, the long-term viability of several regional airports remains uncertain, highlights

time-read
8 dak  |
November 2024
'PHARMACY OF THE WORLD' SUPPLY CHAIN WOES
Cruising Heights

'PHARMACY OF THE WORLD' SUPPLY CHAIN WOES

India's pharmaceutical sector, has achieved remarkable growth, but faces significant supply chain hurdles, including high logistics costs and limited cold chain facilities. Addressing these challenges is essential to sustain its global impact and future expansion, reports

time-read
6 dak  |
November 2024
BUMPER WINTER AHEAD FOR INDIAN CARRIERS
Cruising Heights

BUMPER WINTER AHEAD FOR INDIAN CARRIERS

The DGCA's winter 2024 schedule approves 25,007 weekly flights, marking growth for Indian carriers, with Air India Express leading in expansion and Vistara set to merge with Air India, analyses

time-read
4 dak  |
November 2024
AIRPORT ADVANCEMENT
Cruising Heights

AIRPORT ADVANCEMENT

Indian airports are placing a greater emphasis on digitalisation and enhancing their eco-friendly credentials, updates

time-read
8 dak  |
November 2024
THROTTLING AHEAD
Cruising Heights

THROTTLING AHEAD

The situation with the grounding of Pratt & Whitney GTF engines is now trending downwards, a report

time-read
10 dak  |
November 2024
Connecting cities to airports HELI-TAXIS ARE OUT, AIR TAXIS ARE IN
Cruising Heights

Connecting cities to airports HELI-TAXIS ARE OUT, AIR TAXIS ARE IN

As heli-taxis falter, electric air taxis promise to transform urban connectivity. Yet, scalability, regulations, and operational challenges must be overcome for them to deliver efficient, affordable city-airport travel, reviews

time-read
8 dak  |
November 2024