flybig (FLG, Indore) has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with De Havilland Aircraft of Canada covering five firm-ordered DHC-6-400s with options for five more.

The Indian regional specialist plans to use the Viking Air Twin Otters for its thinnest routes operated under the government-run UDAN/RCS route subsidization scheme.

"In conjunction with the UDAN initiative, the Indian Government's recently released policy to assist in serving small and remote communities, flybig's goal is to provide connectivity to communities that were not previously accessible by air. De Havilland Canada’s Twin Otter Series 400 is the right aircraft for our operations because of its proven record for safe, reliable operations and its versatility - including the capability to land on land or water," Chairman and Managing Director Sanjay Mandavia said.

No delivery dates were disclosed.

flybig certified in late 2020 and launched operations in January 2021. Its current fleet comprises one ATR72-500 and one ATR72-600, with one more -600 due to deliver shortly. The carrier recently outlined plans to rapidly expand its fleet as regional demand recovers after the COVID-19 pandemic.