Hyderabad. 24 March 2022. flybig is India’s newest Scheduled Commuter Airline, with commercial
flights to destinations in the North-East, South, and Central India. It is a UDAN Scheme beneficiary. The
UDAN Scheme’s mandate is to provide one crore people with low-cost air tickets each year and to connect
more than 300 cities across the country via air routes.
On March 24, 2022, at Wings India 2022, flybig signed a Letter of Intent to acquire up to ten De Havilland
Canada Twin Otter Series 400 Aircraft in order to achieve its goal of assisting in serving small and remote
communities that are not accessible by air. The De Havilland Canada Twin Otter 400 Series has a proven
track record of safe, dependable operations, as well as versatility, which includes the ability to land on
land or water.
The letter of intent was signed by Captain Sanjay Mandavia , CMD flybig and Yogesh Garg, Director, Sales
– Asia Pacific, De Havilland Aircraft of Canada. and exchanged at their stall at Wings India 2022 Show.
CMD flybig, Sanjay Mandavia said: “It is a strategic and necessary acquisition. It will be a valuable asset
for flybig in its quest to provide last-mile connectivity to hinterlands of India. This landmark acquisition
will provide competitive thrust and open a niche travel segment in the Indian Aviation Industry as it can
also be used over water to promote tourism. The De Havilland Twin Series Otter 400 aircraft has the
potential to provide last-mile connectivity to our country’s inaccessible geographical destinations.”
flybig is at the forefront of establishing flight routes in areas that are inaccessible by other modes of
conventional transportation. Its intent is consistent with Hon’ble Prime Minister Modiji’s vision of allowing
ordinary citizens of our country to fly under the UDAN-Scheme.
“We are very excited to be working with flybig to connect underserved destinations that currently rely on
inconvenient and inefficient modes of transportation,” said Philippe Poutissou, Vice President, Sales and
Marketing, De Havilland Canada. “It is always a source of pride when De Havilland Canada aircraft are
selected by a new operator and we welcome this opportunity to work with flybig to increase connectivity
across India.”
“The Twin Otter Series 400 has earned a solid reputation for performance and versatility and is ideal for
providing air connectivity in India’s hinterland. The aircraft has proven its capabilities for executive and
private travel as well as commercial operations in some of the most challenging geographical terrains,”
said Yogesh Garg, Director, Sales – Asia Pacific, De Havilland Aircraft of Canada. “It is a 19-seater aircraft
that will meet a wide range of needs in India’s ever-expanding aviation market, opening up access to new
commuter as well as coastal and island-hopping routes. It has proven its worth in commuter travel around
the world, as well as island hopping.”
flybig aspires to be the carrier of aspirational India, with a focus on Tier II and Tier III cities that will be the
country’s future growth engines. It intends to promote and boost tourism across destinations and will also
open new vistas of economic opportunity in India’s untapped demographic landscapes.
Sanjay Mandavia, CMD of flybig, also praised the Hon’ble Prime Minister Modiji for his big picture vision
for the Indian Aviation Industry, which has paved the way for the Ministry of Civil Aviation and FICCI to
organize the Wings India 2022 Summit, Asia’s largest event for civil aviation industry.
