Pune firm to begin flight services

The Bureau of Civil Aviation has given security clearance to the city-based Silver Jubilee Traveller Limited to commence non-scheduled flight operations across the country. 

The clearance, which came on Wednesday, would now see the travel company begin the process of procuring the required aircraft for its commercial operations.

It was in March this year that the ministry of civil aviation had issued a licence to the firm to begin non-scheduled flights from Pune to any destination in the country. 

Silver Jubilee Traveller is the first operator in the city to begin chartered services in the non-scheduled category whereas the rest of all existing players are in the private category.

“We have received all the security approvals and are awaiting the final letter from the Bureau of Civil Aviation and have now approached the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for the procurement of aircraft,” said Mukesh Ramani, director of the company. 

The total cost of procuring the aircraft in estimated at Rs75 crore while the entire project would cost Rs100 crore approximately, he said. “We have submitted details of the three types of aircraft that we have decided to procure from agencies and once that falls in place, we intend to begin operations by Diwali,” Ramani said. He said the company has submitted details of procuring two six-seater helicopters and a six-wing aircraft with a seating capacity of 18 to 20 people. 

“We have also applied to the Airports Authority of India to allot us a hanger within the Pune airport,” Ramani said, adding that talks are also on with leading financial institutions to raise the required funds for the project.

Silver Jubilee Traveller Limited is an IATA-certified tour operator from the city who entered the ground handling services at Pune airport in 2006 and is now making a foray into flight operations. It has got permission to operate flights across the country.