Air Deccan likely to launch flights to Nashik from Mumbai

The country's wine capital Nashik will soon be on the aviation map as Air Deccan is likely to launch its maiden flights to the city under the Centre's regional connectivity scheme UDAN from the next week.
Air Deccan, owned by Capt G R Gopinath, who brought the concept of low-cost airline in India in the early 2000s, is expected to commence flights to Nashik from Mumbai from December 23, according to a source close to the development.
The launch, however, will depend on the issuance of flying permit to the carrier, which it is expecting by December 22, the source said.

"As of now the Mumbai-Nashik flight is scheduled to commence operations from December 23. However, it will also depend on the air operator permit or flying licence, which Air Deccan is awaiting from the regulator DGCA," the source said.
The airline is expecting its scheduled commuter operator's permit from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on December 22, he added.
As of now, Air Deccan is operating charrter sevices under a non-scheduled operator's permit.

Air Deccan will provide further connectivity to Kolhapur from Mumbai via Pune with the same flight, the source said.
The airline will deploy a 19-seater Beachcraft B-1900D aircraft for these flights, he said.

The company has already leased three such planes for the operations, which will be carried under the 'Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik' (UDAN) scheme, he added.
Air Deccan had won 34 routes to operate under the scheme in the first round of bidding which took place in March this year.