Flybig is a regional airline promoted by Gurugram-based Big Charter Private Limited. The airline began operations in December 2020 and is focused on connecting tier-2 cities within India. At the moment, the airline has a fleet of 3 ATR turboprop aircraft, two of which were recently inducted after Trujet gave up on those aircraft. These aircraft serve regional routes around India. Flybig focuses on using the UDAN initiative to open virgin sectors in India, which usually comes with exclusivity for the route for a period of time.

Flybig to induct Twin Otter aircraft

De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited, which makes the Q400 aircraft which is operated by SpiceJet, has announced today that Big Charter Private Limited has signed a Letter of Intent to purchase up to ten new Twin Otter Series 400 aircraft for operation by flybig. The companies will work towards a definitive purchase agreement that would include five firm-ordered aircraft and options for another five.

On this occasion, Captain Sanjay Mandavia, Chairman and Managing Director, flybig, said,

In conjunction with the UDAN initiative, the Indian Government’s recently released policy to assist in serving small and remote communities, flybig’s goal is to provide connectivity to communities that were not previously accessible by air. De Havilland Canada’s Twin Otter Series 400 is the right aircraft for our operations because of its proven record for safe, reliable operations and its versatility – including the capability to land on land or water.

Philippe Poutissou, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, De Havilland Canada, said,

We are very excited to be working with flybig to connect underserved destinations that currently rely on inconvenient and inefficient modes of transportation. It is always a source of pride when De Havilland Canada aircraft are selected by a new operator and we welcome this opportunity to work with flybig to increase connectivity across India.

While this is still a Letter of Intent, and a firm order needs to be signed, after which we will know when will these aircraft be delivered to flybig, this is an interesting development. 19-seater aircraft are used to serve on very thin routes, and recently the only one used was by Deccan in its second coming, using the Beechcraft 1900D, an aircraft I flew between Mumbai and Nashik. The other solution available in that segment is the Dornier 228, now being manufactured in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

Bottomline

flybig is going to go for 10 Twin Otter Aircraft, which it will use to operate perhaps very thin routes under the UDAN scheme of the Government of India. The aircraft are manufactured by De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited, which also owns the Q400 programme now, and has SpiceJet as a client as a consequence.

What do you make of the order of 19-seater aircraft by flybig?

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