Return of Captain Gopinath: Deccan Charters set to enter regional routes

Gopinath said some of the country's 900 airstrips provided very good opportunity for making money

The government’s plan to attract entrepreneurs to regional aviation has drawn a star participant in G R Gopinath, pioneer of low-cost flying in India who is now considering a comeback in the country’s regional skies.

Deccan Charters, an aviation services company owned by Gopinath, has registered to bid for regional routes. The government has received 20 registrations from air operator permit holders to participate in the bidding.

“I had never completely left aviation, Deccan Charters has been providing charter services for tourism, medical service and corporate travel. I just want to make it bigger,” Gopinath, now 63, told Business Standard.