flybig (FLG, Indore) has placed a firm order with De Havilland Aircraft of Canada (DHC, Toronto Downsview) for two DHC-6-400s and signed a Letter of Intent for another up to ten newly announced DHC-6-300-G aircraft during the ongoing 2023 Paris Air Show.
"Twin Otters are the perfect aircraft for India's UDAN regional airport development program, part of the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) for improving underserviced air routes and connecting Tier 2 and Tier 3 communities. Our two -400 aircraft will help realise our Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to connect India's hinterland, and we are looking forward to working with De Havilland Aircraft of Canada on potential future acquisitions of the new Classic 300-Gs," Chairman and Managing Director Sanjay Mandavia said. "With the addition of this new aircraft the DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 300-G, looking ahead we are excited to announce our plans for further expansion of our services now to North India by offering connectivity to Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab. Our plans include adding Dehra Dun, Pithorgarh, Pantnagar, Ghaziabad, Ludhiana, and Bathinda to our network."
The Indian regional specialist will become the first operator of the DHC-6-400 in India. The ch-aviation fleets module shows that its fleet currently comprises one ATR72-500 and two ATR72-600s. The carrier recently secured an undisclosed strategic investment from Florida-based Royal Bengal Holding Inc.
The only current operator of Twin Otters in India is Saarthi Airways (Delhi International), which operates a single -300 on behalf of the Geological Survey of India (Kolkata).
flybig signed a Letter of Intent for five firm DHC-6-400 orders and five options in 2022. The deal has not been finalised. flybig did not respond to ch-aviation's request for comment if the new commitment would replace last year's LOI.
The DHC-6-300-G is a newly announced variant of the Twin Otter with updated avionics, redesigned cabin interior, increased payload and range, and other improvements.
