Alliance Air to focus on increasing charter services

Alliance Air, a state-owned airline, is set to expand its charter services and boost flight frequencies to the northeast and Lakshadweep, according to the airline’s CEO, Vineet Sood. Sood stated, “We are focusing very much on our charters… We have plans to increase flights to and from the hinterland to various destinations.” The current fleet comprises 18 ATR72-600 aircraft, two ATR42-600 aircraft, and one Dornier Do-228, with the addition of a second ‘Made in India’ Dornier aircraft expected soon.

These compact turboprop planes enable Alliance Air to operate on short runways, including those in Shimla, Kullu, and other high-altitude airports. The airline recently introduced new routes under the Regional Connectivity Udan Scheme (RCS), such as Kullu-Amritsar, Delhi-Bathinda, and Bengaluru-Salem-Kochi.

Sood mentioned plans to increase flight frequency to Agatti, Lakshadweep, and airports in Arunachal Pradesh. Additionally, a feasibility study will be conducted to evaluate the possibility of operating flights from other Indian cities to Agatti. Sood added, “We are looking at additional capacity deployment on the Kochi and Agatti route with our ATR72 aircraft.”