State-owned Alliance Air is planning to expand its charter services and increase frequencies to the northeast and Lakshadweep, the airline’s chief executive Vineet Sood told Fe.”We are focusing very much on our charters… We have plans to increase flights to and from the hinterland to various destinations,” Sood said.
Currently, the airline operates 57 domestic and one international destination with its fleet comprising 18 ATR72-600 aircraft, two ATR42-600 aircraft, and one Dornier Do-228. The airline’s second ‘Made in India’ Dornier aircraft is expected to be inducted shortly.
These small turboprop aircraft provide the airline the ability to operate on short runways, such as those in Shimla, Kullu, and other high-altitude airports.Alliance Air recently introduced new Regional Connectivity Udan Scheme (RCS) routes like Kullu-Amritsar, Delhi-Bathinda, and Bengaluru-Salem-Kochi.
Sood mentioned that the carrier plans to increase frequency to Agatti, Lakshadweep, and airports in Arunachal Pradesh.Additionally, a feasibility study will be conducted to assess operating flights from other Indian cities to Agatti. “We are looking at additional capacity deployment on the Kochi and Agatti route with our ATR72 aircraft,” Sood said.