Gurgaon-based MDLR Airlines has said it has resolved a dispute with aircraft leasing company Trident Jet (Dublin) for buying three airplanes owned by the latter. It has asked the country’s aviation sector regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to register the jets in its name so that the airline could start regional air transportation service under brand name Jet Sapphire.
The DGCA had last year cancelled aircraft registration of three jets of MDLR following a United Kingdom (UK) court order. Subsequently the government permission to the airline to start regional air connectivity also expired.
?The cause for action of de-registering the aircraft no longer exists since the dispute with the lessors have been resolved and the company has now purchased all three aircraft,? MDLR chairman and managing director Gopal Goyal has written to the DGCA. The domestic air traffic has for the last many quarters been on upswing making it attractive for entrepreneurs to provide air connectivity. The local carriers flew 14.33 million passengers during January-March this year registering 20.9% increase over the corresponding period last year. MDLR has secured fresh funds to re-start its operation in the northern part of the country. The company is also hiring executives for better management of its operation. It has roped in Shakti Lumba, former executive of the country’s largest budget carrier IndiGo, to head its operation.
One of the three jets MDLR has purchased is currently undergoing maintenance check in Romania but is awaiting the regulatory approval to bring the jet back.
MDLR was the first carrier to start regional air service following the government’s announcement of creating a separate category of airline permit which allowed companies start operation with lower paid-up capital.