Air Costa celebrates its first Anniversary, to operate pan-India flights from next year
Air Costa, India's first regional airline in Indian aviation completed its 1st year of operations. Speaking on this occasion, Mr. L Ramesh, Chairman of Air Costa said, "It has been one year since Air Costa took off. The flight has been smooth so far, despite the turbulence that exists in the burgeoning aviation industry today. On the occasion of our first anniversary, I would like to take the opportunity to, “thank you” all for helping Air Costa come this far and creating a mark in the Indian Aviation space."
Air Costa launched its operations in October 2013 and currently operates 38 daily flights connecting 9 cities Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Coimbatore, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati and Vijayawada. Air Costa operates a fleet of 2 Embraer E170 and 2 E190.
Air Costa plan to induct four aircraft's per year from 2015 till it start getting the deliveries of its own Embraer E2 Jets from 2018, Chairman Ramesh Lingamaneni told OMNI FLYERS today. Air Costa had earlier signed a 100 aircraft deal with Brazilian plane maker Embraer with 50 firm orders and another 50 on-option.
Mr. L Ramesh Chairman Air Costa on Wednesday said it plans to start PAN India operations in first quarter of the next fiscal (April-June 2015) however, the airline's focus will continue to be on small towns and cities, he added.
The airline this week submitted its application for securing pan-India flying licence to aviation regulator DGCA, Air Costa Chief Financial Officer Vivek Choudhary said. DGCA last month extended the airline's regional operator permit for another four years, he added.
Air Costa management said if the present regulation 5/20 rule lifted, will operate international operations in 5-6 months.
Capt. K.N. Babu CEO said Air Costa is also planning to set up an MRO and has already acquired three acres in this regard. Hangar in Vijayawada was been on hold due to airport expansion plans. Present maintenance of the aircrafts been done in Chennai.
The company said it had 741 employees in total with male and female ration 80 percent and 20 percent respectively. Of the above, 70 odd pilots whose salaries have been recently raised by 30 percent to control attrition. Airline is also looking in coming months to hire experienced captains with approx 3,000 hrs jet experience to phase out the expats pilots.
Air Costa’s Management announced donation of Rs.25 lacs to Chief Minister’s Relief Fund towards Visakhapatnam Hudhud cyclone victims, in addition to that all employees of Air Costa came forward and announced their one day salary for same cause.
- Rohit Chivukula | Omni Flyers
