The Hindu Business Line : MDLR to fly into more cities

Gurgaon-based MDLR Airlines, which began regular operations between New Delhi and Chandigarh from May 5, plans to shortly expand into more regional cities where other airlines do not operate regular flights.

"We plan to concentrate our operations in cities where other airlines do not offer connections or where regular air connections are not available. There are several cities like this and there is huge potential," the airline Chairman, Mr Gopal K. Goyal told Business Line.

Besides extending the Delhi and Chandigarh flight to connect Ranchi and Kolkata, MDLR also has plans to operate flights to Surat, Bhavnagar, Mumbai and Goa among other cities. "In addition, during the current financial year, we plan to import five helicopters that would help in expanding our network," Mr Goyal added.

Vegetarian Carrier

The airline plans to operate flights to tourist destinations during non-peak hours, while utilising the aircraft to operate flights to business destinations during the remaining part of the day, the airline's Director and former Head of the state-owned Vayudoot airline, Mr Harshvardhan, added. The airline currently operates dry-leased aircraft that are 10 years old. However, the next batch of aircraft being inducted would be between five and six years old, airline officials said.

The airline, which claims to be the world's first vegetarian carrier, offers seating in both business and economy classes. MDLR Airlines, which is marketing itself as a full-service, value-for-money airline, is also planning to offer fares that will be more than what the Railways charges for travel in the first-class air-conditioned coaches. "Currently, we have some promotional fares that are as low as Rs 1,000 going up to Rs 4,000 for travel between Delhi and Chandigarh," Mr Harshvardhan added.

The start-up carrier, promoted by the MDLR Group that has business interests in infrastructure, shopping malls, luxury hotels and multiplexes, hopes to notch up annual revenues of Rs 75 crore during the first full year of operations.

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