SpiceJet, Alliance Air, six others to go regional

NEW DELHI: SpiceJet, Alliance Air, and Deccan Aviation in a new livery are among eight companies that have won the bids to start regional flights in India, where crowded railroads and choked roads are still the primary modes of transport linking small towns with metropolitan centers.

The other bid winners in the first phase of the network-expansion programme are India Fly Safe (the Sajjan Jindal Group), TurboMegha (Trujet Brand), Air Odisha, Airlines Allied Services Ltd., and Bharat Aviation.

The flights, to be launched under the Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik ( UDAN) program, will connect about 43 regional destinations across the country. Of the 43 destinations, 12 are underserved destinations, while the rest are unserved. The winners will likely be announced on Thursday.