Start-up long-haul carrier Hans Airways aims to start flying services to India in the early summer.
Company founder and chief executive Satnam Saini voiced optimism as India re-opened to international scheduled flights last weekend. (March 26).
The newcomer’s first Airbus A330 is undergoing maintenance checks with Etihad Engineering in Abu Dhabi, overseen by a Hans Airways liaison engineer.
Hans Airways is now looking forward to securing a proving flight date imminently from the Civil Aviation Authority. This operational milestone will be a precursor to obtaining an Air Operator’s Certificate.
The airline submitted its UK AOC application in March 2020, following “extensive discussions” with the aviation regulator and Department for Transport.
Twelve newly recruited cabin crew start training at Birmingham and Manchester next week.
Neeru Prabhakar, former cabin service director at British Airways for 30 years, joined Hans Airways last month.
Pilot training was completed at the end of January with the firm employing flight crew with experience of low-cost, legacy and regional airlines.
Barry Humphries, Hans Airways’ board director and former CAA head of air services policy, said: “With the loss of flights operated by India’s Jet Airways and British inclusive tour operators Thomas Cook and Monarch Airlines, there is room for a third UK airline flying between UK and India, complementing British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.
“All of us are working exceptionally hard and on schedule to be that third UK designated carrier.”