Royal Airways set for first-quarter takeoff

 According to company executives the airlines will begin operations on trunk routes with five leased Boeing 737s.

 In the second year of operations the airline plans to induct three to six aircraft in a phased manner. The $17.5 million is part of the second tranche of investments of the $35 million approved by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board in 2000.

 The decision to begin operations has come after the customs department agreed to issue a no objection certificate (NOC). The NOC will be issued after the airline has paid the first installment of the Rs 6.10 crore of Inland Air Traffic Tax (IATT) dues.

 In accordance with the agreement with the customs department Royal Airways will pay the dues through five monthly installments. The airlines plans to pay the first installment within next week post which the customs department will issue the NOC, company sources said.

 Sources said that the airline is currently firming up its marketing strategies for the launch next year. Though company executives did not divulge details, the airline plans to cover a combination of major business and tourist routes by next year-end.

 The airline is also likely to match the competitive fares that have been launched in the market by Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and Air Sahara.

 Company executives said that the airlines has paid off the liabilities of the erstwhile Modiluft. Royal Airways has paid the Rs 25 crore oil dues of Indian Oil Corporation, BPCL and HPCL and the Rs 1.24 crore of Airports Authority of India.

 The ministry of civil aviation had issued an NOC to the company in 2000 which had been contested by the customs department due to the IATT dues.