Vistara (UK, Delhi International) could begin commercial operations by the end of the year assuming all regulatory formalities are completed on time. Sources in India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) who spoke to the Daily News on condition of anonymity said the start-up is currently in the process of securing its Scheduled Operator's Permit (SOP).

"It (Vistara) is undergoing flight tests, where it has to operate demonstration flights for 10 hours on five non-revenue routes and carry out evacuation exercise to acquire flying licence. If they clear it on time, they are good for flying before the end of this month," the official said.

The joint venture between India's Tata Group and Singapore Airlines (SQ, Singapore Changi) recently deferred delivery of its third A320-200 (sl) owing to the delays.

Earlier this year, the full-service carrier stated in its application for an Air Operator's Permit that it would serve Mumbai International, Goa Dabolim, Hyderabad International, Ahmedabad, Srinagar, Jammu, Patna and Chandigarh from its Delhi International hub initially.

Thereafter, in its second year, it will add a further six routes to Chennai, Lucknow, Pune, Varanasi, Kolkata, and Guwahati, while in its third and fourth year, Amritsar, Indore, and Kochi International will be added.

Other start-ups that are in the process of launching include Premier Airways (Chennai), FlyEasy (Bengaluru International), Air Pegasus (Bengaluru International), and Air One Aviation (Delhi International).