MDLR Airlines, which is following a full-service regional operator business model, is gearing up to launch its operations on the Chandigarh-Ranchi-Delhi-Kolkata sector.
KOLKATA: The Gurgaon-headquartered MDLR Group, which plans to launch an aviation arm, MDLR Airlines, is in talks with aircraft manufacturers for fleet acquisition over the next three years. The group will launch the airline by April-end.
MDLR Airlines, which is following a full-service regional operator business model, is gearing up to launch its operations on the Chandigarh-Ranchi-Delhi-Kolkata sector.
The group’s aim is to link up metros with the non-metro routes unlike legacy carriers. “Around 48% of the passenger load factor (PLF) comes from the non-metro routes, so we aim to tap this segment,” Kaustav Dhar, president, commercial and special projects, MDLR Airlines, told DNA Money.
The carrier, which will start operating with two Avro RJ70, is looking to lease 2-3 more Avro RJ100.
Dhar, however, indicated that the company was in talks with ATR, Bombardier and Embraer for acquiring 15-20 aircraft, which will be delivered over a three-year period. Each aircraft, pegged at around $20-25 million, will be funded from internal accruals. Though ATRs are generally the preferred choice of low-cost carriers, Dhar said the ATR 72-500, a turbo-prop, can be used by full-service carriers, in combination with jets. The group has roped in ex-CMD of Vayudoot, Harsh Vardhan, on its board as a director.
“The aviation business is growing 33% year-on-year but there is a nascent vacuum in the non-metro space, which the group is primarily looking to tap,” said an aviation analyst.
MDLR will be opting for dynamic pricing of eight levels of fares, starting from Rs 1,000. “Though we are a full-service carrier, our fares will be 10-12% lower than those prevailing in the market,” said Dhar.
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