In a significant boost for regional air travel in North Karnataka, airline Fly91 has officially announced its expansion to Hubballi. The move, set to commence operations in March, follows the carrier's agreement to lease two brand-new aircraft, aiming to enhance connectivity for both business and leisure travellers in the region.
New Aircraft and Network Expansion
The airline has signed a lease agreement with Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE), a global aviation services provider, for two brand-new ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft. According to Fly91's CEO and Managing Director, Manoj Chacko, these planes are scheduled for delivery later this month directly from the ATR manufacturing facility in Toulouse, France.
With this addition, Fly91's fleet strength will grow to six aircraft. The airline plans to use these new planes to increase flight frequencies on its existing routes and launch services to several new cities. The expansion strategy focuses on deepening connectivity across India's tier-2 and tier-3 cities, with destinations like Hubballi, Vijayawada, Rajahmundry, Nanded, and Dabolim (Goa) on the immediate radar.
Hubballi Operations and Infrastructure Readiness
Rupesh Kumar Sripad, Director of Hubballi Airport, confirmed that Fly91 officials have already communicated with the Airports Authority of India and secured slots to operate flights connecting Hubballi with Bengaluru and Hyderabad. "We have approved their request. Officials from the airline are visiting Hubballi in the first week of February, and operations are expected to launch from March," Sripad stated.
He emphasized that the airport infrastructure is fully prepared to support the additional services. This readiness ensures a smooth onboarding process for the new airline, which is eagerly anticipated by local passengers.
Economic Boost and Passenger Benefits
Aviation observers believe the induction of new aircraft by Fly91 will significantly improve flight frequency and regional connectivity from Hubballi. Sunil Nalavade, a member of the Airport Advisory Committee in Hubballi, welcomed the announcement, highlighting the existing demand for more flights in North Karnataka. He noted that the operation of new flights will provide a substantial boost to the local economy by facilitating easier travel for business and tourism.
In a related development, Sripad also informed that IndiGo has sought and received approval for an additional flight between Hyderabad and Hubballi. However, the commencement date for this extra service has not been finalized yet. This indicates a growing demand and competitive landscape for air travel from the Hubballi region, promising more options and better services for travellers.
