Indian airline, flybig has made a firm order for two DHC-6-400 aircraft from De Havilland Aircraft of Canada, with a letter of intent signed for up to ten DHC-6-300-Gs. Regional airline flybig’s plans to implement these De Havilland Twin Otter planes are set to help boost India’s UDAN regional airport development program, which is aimed at improving underserved air routes and connecting Tier 2 and Tier 3 communities. The company’s Chairman and Managing Director, Sanjay Mandavia, has spoken in support of the project, stating that Twin Otters are the perfect aircraft for India’s hinterland.
Following their recent Letter of Intent for five firm DHC-6-400 orders and five options in 2022, flybig announced plans for expansion into North India. This expansion will offer connectivity to Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab, with the new plans including additional routes such as Dehra Dun, Pithorgarh, Pantnagar, Hindon, Ludhiana, and Bathinda.
flybig also recognised the potential of the new 300-G variant of the Twin Otter, calling it newly announced with updated avionics, redesigned cabin interior, increased payload and range, and other improvements. Whether this new commitment will replace last year’s Letter of Intent is unknown as flybig has, as yet, made no response to requests for comment.
flybig’s expansion plans are in line with India’s mission to promote regional connectivity, which it hopes will help bolster the country’s aviation sector. It is expected that the UDAN scheme will incentivise airlines to operate more flights and promote regional air travel by capping fares and providing subsidies to airlines to operate on financially unviable but crucial routes.
