Paramount to expand fleet, launch on-board mobile service

Aiming for a larger play in the domestic skies, Paramount Airways plans to increase its fleet fourfold by 2011 to 20 aircraft by inducting mid-sized airplanes.

The Chennai-based carrier is also set to launch on-board mobile phone usage by passengers within two months, subject to approval from regulatory authorities.

"We will have 20 aircraft by the middle of 2011, up from five at present. We are looking at Embraer and turboprop aircraft for scaling up our fleet," Paramount Airways Managing Director M Thiagarajan told PTI.

Embraer and turboprops are smaller jets with a seating capacity of up to 70-75 passengers, suitable for landing on shorter runways.

On the carrier's plan to become the first carrier to provide on-board mobile phone facility in India, he said: "We hope to launch it in two months."

He said the airline is seeking regulatory approvals for allowing usage of cellphones even during take-off and landing of airplanes, a service hitherto not offered by any carrier.

On the fleet expansion programme, Thiagarajan said turboprop aircraft would be required by the carrier as it is looking at tapping market for tourist destinations like Agatti (Lakshadweep) and Podicherry.