Air Costa applies for national licence

NEW DELHI: The civil aviation ministry on Wednesday said that regional carrier Air Costa has applied for a national licence, which is being looked into by the ministry. The ministry also said that FlyEasy has applied for an extension of the validity of the civil aviation ministry’s no-objection certificate by another six months.

“They have applied for a national licence and we have sought some clarifications on their proposal. We are awaiting their reply on a query,” said a senior civil aviation ministry official. The ministry’s announcement is a confirmation of a report by ET on Air Costa’s national ambition on September 8, 2015. While a regional licence restricts an airline within a region, national licence allows airlines to operate flights to destinations across the country.

ET had reported that the airline plans to connect destinations such as Ahmedabad to Mumbai or Jaipur with a national permit. The ministry also confirmed another ET story on FlyEasy approaching the government with a request to extend the validity of the NOC by another six months. “We have already given them three extensions of six months each in the past. They have sought a fourth one. The proposal is being looked into,” he said.

FlyEeasy, which is still in the process of getting a regional flying permit from DGCA and will be based out of Bengaluru, is also likely seek an upgrade to a national licence. The airline has sought an extension in their NOC on the grounds that they are in talks to sell 49% to Sharjah-based low-cost carrier AirArabia.