Air taxi to fly on private operator’s wings

 In wake of Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation (MPSTDC) cancelling the air taxi service contract that was to run in collaboration with Supreme Transport Aviation Ltd (STAL), the Mumbai-based operator would now commission the aircraft on private basis but only on profitable routes following nod from DGCA. "Now we would commission the air taxi on our company's term and would bring amendments in the route plans, which would be profitable for us," said STAL senior state manager Milind Mahajan. He added that the ticket cost of taxi would now be costly. "Had the venture been with MP tourism, it would have provided subsidy that would have helped customers book economic flights to respective destinations," said Mahajan. STAL had earlier blamed Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for the delay in issuing clearance that prevented the company from starting to air taxi services within the stipulated time period. STAL had invested Rs 50 crore and bought two Grand Cessna Caravan 9-seater planes, each costing Rs 15 crore to give a boost to air tourism in the state. Following delay in start of the air taxi service, MPSTDC had served a notice of termination to the private operator and cancelled the contract a week ago. "On Wednesday, DGCA gave us clearance in all the pending sectors. It would take the flight test session next week and give us the air operator's certificate (AOC). It is anticipated that the services would commence on new routes in the new year," he said. The official said that if any other state is ready to give them subsidy, then the company would also start operations there. "At present, the aircraft would be stationed at Indore airport, as we have base approval for that city. At of now, we have decided to fly from Indore to Shirdi, Ahmedabad and Jabalpur. We would also be picking tourists from Nagpur for Kanha-Kisli and Khajuraho. The air taxi concept were planned to connect 12 cities of the state and some popular tourist destinations in neighbouring states. Earlier, Ventura Airconnect had launched air taxi service from Indore that was shut in September 2014 owing to low occupancy and huge losses. It used to fly to Bhopal, Jabalpur and Khajuraho.



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