TruJet to expand its fleet

Regional carrier TruJet has said it plans to expand its fleet size to five aircraft by early next year and double the number of flights before the next fiscal.
The Hyderabad-based airline, which commenced operation in July this year, currently operates 16 services, majorly across southern destinations, with a fleet of two ATR 72-500 aircraft.
"We have at present two leased aircraft in the fleet and we will be getting one more by the end of this month. In addition to this, we will be inducting two more ATR 72-500 aircraft in the fleet by January," TruJet co-promoter and managing director V Umesh told PTI here.

These three aircraft are also being leased for a five years, he said.
TruJet is a part of Turbo Megha Airways Pvt Ltd, which is partially owned by Tollywood actor Chiranjeevi's son Ram Charan.
Umesh said the airline has also plans to scale up flight operations by adding new destinations.

"By March, we will add another 16 flights in our network that would take the total number of flights to 32 per day," he said.
TruJet at present operates flight services to six destinations --Tirupati, Aurangabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Vijaywada and Rajahmundry-- from its Hyderabad base.
Besides, TueJet would also add Pune and Nagpur to its route network during this period, he said, adding, "flight services to Goa are being commenced from today."

He said the relaxation in the FDI norms for aviation announced by the government is a good step but ruled out any plans to divest stake to any foreign carrier for raising funds.
The airline had funding issues till some time back, he said, adding, "However, we have no such issue now".
The government had early last month relaxed FDI norms for as many as 15 sectors including aviation, and allowed up to 49 per cent foreign direct investment through the automatic route in regional carriers in a move to boost regional air connectivity.
Prior to the easing of norms, foreign entities were allowed to take upto 49 per cent stake in domestic airlines, including regional ones, but with prior government approval.

Regional carriers are now allowed to offload upto 49 per cent stake to overseas entities without seeking Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) nod.
Umesh also said the airline would hire around 18 more pilots in the next couple of months to support induction of new aircraft. TruJet currently has 40 pilots.