The Alhind group, an Indian business group with a presence in the UAE, is set to launch a new airline that aims to provide economical air tickets for residents. The group, which has been operating in the travel industry for over three decades, has received the necessary clearance to start its domestic airline in India. According to the group chairman, Mohammad Haris, they are in the final stages of getting approvals and are hoping to begin operations by January 2025, if not earlier.
The new airline, Alhind Airline, will initially start with three ATR-72 turboprop planes, serving Indian cities before expanding internationally. The company plans to rapidly expand its operations and aims to start international flights as soon as they have 20 aircraft, with the UAE as their first destination. The company spokesperson confirmed that the Middle East will be the focus of their international operations, as they have a loyal customer base in the region.
Although the timeline for international operations has not been set, the company is aiming to follow a similar timeline to Akash Airline in India, which started its international operations within 17 months of launching its domestic airline. Alhind management has engaged with key figures in the aviation industry, including India’s Civil Aviation Minister and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, who have offered their support to the project.
With headquarters in Kerala, the Alhind group has a turnover exceeding Dh8 billion and offers services in ticketing, tour operations, charters, hotel bookings, and visa services. The group, which has been present in the UAE for over 19 years, operates under the Alhind Business Centre umbrella. The group aims to keep costs low by hiring a minimal number of staff to offer competitive ticket prices to customers.
The group plans to operate an Airbus A320 for its Middle East routes, including a business class service. With offices in Kerala and New Delhi, the company is focused on keeping operations streamlined to maintain low overheads. Once international operations begin, an office in the UAE is planned. Another Dubai-based business duo is also planning to launch a low-cost airline, Air Kerala, under the name Zettfly Aviation. The airline has received clearance to operate scheduled commuter air transport services for three years and plans to start with domestic flights in India before expanding internationally.
