 "An aircraft of Air Costa takes off. Photo: Wikipedia")
Vijaywada-based regional airline Air Costa resumed operations on friday after resolving its dispute with its lessor. The airline had cancelled all its 24 flights on Thursday raising fears about its financial health.
"We had to cancel our flights for one day due to an issue with our lessor and that has been resolved now. We also made sure that booked passengers are not affected by this. We are back in operations today and from tomorrow will have full operations with 24 scheduled flights. We have also taken necessary measures so that such sudden suspension shall not happen in future. We are focusing on inducting more aircraft in the fleet and eyeing on getting PAN India license for larger reach and connectivity.We have aggressive expansion plans and it will prevail," said Air Costa CEO Vivek Choudhary in a statement.
LEPL-group promoted Air Costa has 3 Embraer E-190 planes and flies 24 daily flights. On Friday the airline said it will operate nine flights.
Earlier the airline operated a mix of E-170 and E-190 planes. But has now phased out its E-170 aircraft. However its expansion plans remained stuck because of lease payment delays and other issues with leasing company GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS).
The airline had earlier indicated it would induct its fourth E-190 aircraft by April end and said it was in discussions to lease five more planes this year. Air Costa has secured a no objection clearance from civil aviation ministry for national operations but is yet to receive a permit from Directorate General of Civil Aviation. The airline had said it will fly to Delhi and Bhubaneshwar upon receiving national permit.
Last week south-based Air Pegasus had grounded its fleet and is yet to resume operations.
Civil Aviation Secretary R N Choubey told PTI on Thursday that the airlines have not yet approached the ministry for assistance. "If they approach us, we will examine...what is feasible and what is not. But as of now they have not approached us," he said.
