Zoom Air (India) (ZOM, Delhi International) is in talks for an investment boost from venture capitalists and private equity funds, the airline's CEO Koustav Mohan Dhar has told NDTV Profit. The budget domestic carrier is also in discussions with an ASEAN-based carrier to expand its operations.

The start-up, which bills itself as India's commuter carrier, commenced scheduled passenger operations on February 12 with flights from its Delhi International hub to Kolkata and Durgapur using one CRJ200, and recently added Durgapur to Kolkata. It will take delivery of its second aircraft in early April, with another two due by mid-year.

Despite being in its initial stages, Dhar is already planning ahead. "Definitely beyond five aircraft it's important for the airline to expand and thus we are exploring even equity participation with a robust ASEAN carrier and talks are in advanced stages," he is reported as saying. Dhar added that Tier II and Tier III cities could have potential for the airline.

On its website, Zoom Air says that in its Phase I expansion it will connect Delhi with Aizawl, Aurangabad, Chandigarh, Dharamsala, Dimapur, Hyderabad International, Kullu, Jorhat, Lucknow, Ranchi, Mumbai International, Srinagar and Shillong.