Latest news with #ManojChacko
Time of India
27-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Mopa airport emerging as hub for travellers to Lakshadweep, Maharashtra's hinterland
Panaji : Manohar International Airport, Mopa, is fast emerging as a hub for air connectivity both within India and internationally. Passengers from Maharashtra's tier-II and tier-III cities, along with islanders from Lakshadweep, are flying into Mopa to take flights to metros and outbound flights. According to the tourism department, Goa is well-linked because 2024-25 saw a growth in both domestic and international routes. 'We've seen a clear pattern. Passengers from cities like Jalgaon, Sindhudurg, and Solapur in Maharashtra, often use our airline to reach Goa, and from there, proceed to other destinations. This reflects the growing role of Goa as a gateway and natural transit point,' said FLY91 CEO and MD, Manoj Chacko. With the presence of two operational airports, Indians looking to travel to the Gulf region or to metros have multiple options when planning their journeys through Goa. The last financial year saw a good mix of charter flights and new scheduled routes, with enhanced frequencies from key source markets for both the airports. The state witnessed increased connectivity through scheduled international flights from the Gulf region and Iran in the last year, while new domestic flights connected Goa to major metros and tier-II cities, which have played a vital role during festivals and long weekends, said a travel operator. 'This growth in air access is key to our tourism strategy. Better connectivity brings in wider audiences globally,' said tourism minister Rohan Khaunte, who added that travel to Goa, both domestic and international, has shown steady growth over the past two years. For residents of Lakshadweep, Cochin was the only air link, but with a daily flight between Agatti and Mopa, Manohar International Airport is a better connection point for onward travel to Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. During the ongoing session of the state legislative assembly, Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar urged govt to take steps to strategically develop and project Goa as a transit and layover destination for international airlines. Arolkar is batting for the creation of a dedicated hub and spoke model as part of a transit tourism policy for Goa.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
FLY91 announces 50% discount on base fares for defence personnel
FLY91 announces 50% discount on base fares for defence personnel PUNE: In honour of the service of Indian armed forces personnel, FLY91 has announced a 50 per cent discount on base fares for defence personnel and their immediate families. The regional airline has also allocated special seats and additional baggage allowance as a gesture of gratitude for their selfless service rendered to the nation. The offer is valid on all FLY91 flights as part of the initiative on a first-come-first-served basis, even as armed forces personnel and their families can also avail themselves of a five-kgs extra baggage allowance per person for check-in baggage during their journey. This initiative underscores FLY91's commitment to national service and its gratitude for the courage and dedication shown by the Indian Armed Forces in times of a national crisis, airline officials said. 'FLY91 is proud to support the ministry of defence, Government of India, in its mission to serve the nation. As a mark of our respect and gratitude, we are pleased to offer a 50 per cent discount on base fare for armed forces personnel and their immediate families on the FLY91 network," said Manoj Chacko, MD and CEO, FLY91. "As a proud Indian regional airline, we believe it is our responsibility to stand with the brave women and men of our armed forces. This is a small but sincere gesture of gratitude to those who protect our skies, our borders and our freedoms,' he also said. Defence Personnel seeking to avail of this facility should contact the customer support team at support@ for booking assistance. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
News18
29-04-2025
- Business
- News18
FLY91 Expands Fleet, Set To Scale Operations To 150 Weekly Flights
Last Updated: Having completed its first full year of flying in March, FLY91 has already operated more than 3,500 flights and served close to 1.7 lakh (170,000) passengers. FLY91, a regional airline based at Goa's Manohar International Airport (MIA), currently operates over 100 flights each week. To meet the busy summer demand, the airline now plans to increase this number to 150 weekly flights. Having completed its first full year of flying in March, FLY91 has already operated more than 3,500 flights and served close to 1.7 lakh (170,000) passengers. Furthermore, FLY91 became the first regional airline in India to purchase two ATR 72-600 aircraft at the same time, further cementing its position in the regional aviation sector. FLY91's third ATR 72-600 aircraft has now joined its fleet, with a fourth aircraft expected soon. This twin purchase marks a shift towards aircraft ownership, signalling long-term growth plans for the airline. The ATR 72-600 is well-known for its fuel efficiency and suitability for short runways, which aligns perfectly with FLY91's mission to connect underserved regions across India. FLY91 is also standing out with its onboard service, offering hot food and beverages that passengers can pre-book. Manoj Chacko, MD and CEO of FLY91, explained, 'More importantly, the decision to purchase two aircraft together is a deliberate move towards sustainable, dependable, and measured growth. As we expand, our focus remains on building an efficient and reliable network that truly connects Bharat." First Published: April 29, 2025, 08:20 IST
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
FLY91 buys two aircraft, fleet to grow to four as airline looks to ramp up weekly flights
Panaji: Goa-based airline FLY91, which currently operates around 100 flights per week, wants to scale up its operations to 150 weekly flights to cater to the busy rush during the summer. The airline, which operates out of the Manohar International Airport (MIA), purchased two ATR 72-600 aircraft, with one already joining operations, taking the fleet strength to three aircraft. The regional airline completed its first year of operations in March and operated over 3,500 flights, carrying close to 1.7 lakh passengers. 'The induction of our third ATR marks a significant milestone in our journey. More importantly, the decision to purchase two aircraft together is a deliberate move towards sustainable, dependable, and measured growth. As we expand, our focus remains on building an efficient and reliable network,' said Manoj Chacko, managing director and chief executive officer of FLY91. The new aircraft will operate beyond the current UDAN 5.0 routes that connect Sindhudurg, Jalgaon, and Agatti with key hubs such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, and Goa. Chacko said that the fleet expansion reinforces the airline's strategy to focus on tier-2 and tier-3 city connectivity . While the airline's first two ATRs were leased from Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, the new twin acquisition signals a strategic shift towards ownership and long-term fleet expansion. The airline's long-term plan is to induct 30 aircraft into its fleet, which will be based at multiple hubs across the country. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo The aim is to connect over 50 cities over the next five years, but not all routes have proved successful. The airline stopped operating on the Goa-Bengaluru sector as the demand was not sufficient. Surprisingly, the airline found the Jalgaon sector to be the most profitable. This landmark twin purchase marks a significant milestone in India's regional aviation sector and signifies FLY91's commitment to measured growth and the potential of regional aviation in the country. The ATR 72-600 is a 72-seater aircraft known for its fuel efficiency and suitability for short runways that are found in tier-2 and tier-3 city airports, which is why FLY91 opted for this specific aircraft for its fleet.
