Surya Airlines for North-east on cards

Universal Empire company to connect remote north-east Indian airports

BY A CORRESPONDENT
April 6, 2006

Surya Air, a new airline to be floated by NRI K Balachandran Nair's Universal Empire is set for launch. Surya Air will concentrate on the North-east, where air connectivity is poor. The company will focus on connecting cities like Guwahati, Silchar, Agartala, Lilabari, Aizwal, Kolkata and Bagdogra, the airline officials said. The airline which will start with an investment of Rs 150 crore, is expected to take to skies in October this year.

The Universal Emire is already a major player in education infrastructure and software services in the country. Last year, the group signed a technical deal with Nepal's Buddha Airlines to kick-start the airline. Now, Surya Airline officials said, an expert team of aviators have already visited the site to take up feasibility and technical studies.

To start with Suriya Airlines plans to fly 19-seater Beechcraft planes in the sector. It is not clear if the airline is pegged as a regular carrier or a low-cost airline. Five aircraft are expected to join the Suriya Airlines fleet in due course.

For a better "local flavour", Surya Airlines also hopes to recruit crew from the North-east. The group will soon get into talks with air-hostess and cabin crew training institutions for this. At a later stage, Surya Air may expand to western and southern India.