Kerala-based start-up Alhind Air has pushed back its launch date to the middle of 2025 after failing to secure an air operator's certificate (AOC) before the end of the year. As recently as October, the carrier's backers were suggesting a late-2024 start was on the cards.
CNBC TV18 reports that Alhind Air now hopes to launch around June 2025 with two ATR72-500s, with the aim of scaling up to seven of the ATR - Avions de Transport Régional turboprops within the first year of operation. Alhind Group chairman Mohammed Haris Thattarathil recently said that the company would look at adding A319-100 and A320 types as operations expand.
Alhind is one of several would-be airlines looking to grab a slice of India's growing domestic market. Also based in the state of Kerala is Air Kerala (Kochi International), which is also eyeing a mid-2025 start using ATRs, albeit of the newer-generation ATR72-600 type. Both start-ups aim to connect smaller Tier 2 and 3 cities within the state to Tier 1 cities around India. Shankh Air (Lucknow) from the state of Uttar Pradesh and Jettwings Airways (Guwahati) from Assam also propose to launch shortly using similar models.
