Neelam
Mathews
Jan
8, 2012
 |
| Air Costa static website. We dialled the number-was constantly engaged |
There
is some buzz again on the start of the regional Vijaywada-based Air Costa owned
by Lingamaneni Estates (LEPL), a company into real estate, construction and
contracting business. AerospaceDiary could not confirm this. The company has
been employing staff of ailing Kingfisher Airlines that include cabin
attendants, station managers, Instructors for Inflight services, ground
instructors etc. In
Aug last year, it had advertised for Captains holding ALTP License with total
flying experience of 4000 hours (Jet 2000 hours, 1000 hours of Glass Cockpit,
1000 hours as TIC).
The
airline has popped in and out of the news
in the past year. Its website is static. However, we do hear it might
start with five CRJ-200s, or Q400s.We realise the seating numbers of the two are miles apart, but we're reporting the buzz!
The CEO Air Costa listed on the website is Captain
K.N. Babu who hails from Vijayawada.
Air Costa has dabbled between CRJ, Q400's, ERJ and all possible regional jets in last 6 Months. Surprisingly Air Costa doesnt have any Regional Scheduled Operating Permit.
ReplyDeleteAs you all might know that getting a License in Indian Aviation as per DGCA and MoCA parlance is a complictaed process and is clarified in Civil Aviation requirment as specified in CAR of DGCA website. for clarity any organization planning to start an airline Operations ( Non-Scheduled, Scheduled or Regional Scheduled ) has to go through a process and same is applicable to all irrespective of the claims by any Airlines whatsoever. Firstly One needs to File an application with clear a Paid Up capital (a s per requirement of Non-Schedule, Schedule or Regional Schedule), provide a comprehensive Business Plan with routes, Aircrafts, Personnel etc and apply for Directors clearances. the process is 90 days minimum, wherein 8 sets are submitted with Ministry of Civil Aviation. On successful security clearance from respective Security agencies ( viz RAW, BCAS,IT Department, Home Ministry, MEA and few others ), the file approaches MoCA who also verifies the Genuinity of the application, seriousness of the Business Plan and calls for a Meeting of the Airline officials. On completion of same successfully, One is Imparted with NOC TO OPERATE REGIONAL SCHEDULED OPERATIONS. Thats where Air Costa is as of now.
Post the NOC, the File and letter is given to DGCA, where the main work starts. DGCA provides you a window for Two or three prepardness meetings wherin all manuals, all Aircraft leases, All individuals licenses, all maintainence bases, all Equipements etc are throughly checked and on clearance of same, Airports Authroities provides you with a slot. This process if youa re superfast from time of NOC to last prepardness meeting is anything between 90-120days. During this process one has to again apply to MoCA for Aircraft Import permit, the meeting is convened once a Month by Civil Aviation secretary wherein operator has to furnish all details of teh Aircraft, original tru copies of Leases or purchases, Pilot, crew, engg details and after satisfactory review the aircraft is permitted to eb imported.Once all is cleared, DGCA would impart the Regional Scheduled Operating permit or RSOP or Scheduled Operating permit or SOP. Air Costa has just got Initial NOC to Operate..............which leaves us with our own intelligence to know when is the start date. Surprisingly for every Aviation entusiasts, whats happening on Aircraft Acquisition committee and DGCA or even MOCA is regularly and religiously update in MOCA and DGCA sites. One needs to just open it and read..............and you would know whats the real word is and not the BUZZ word.
We need more regioal airlines and alike Air Mantra, Air Costa, Air Pegasus and others are absolutely a necessary welcome, but oen needs to face the reality of real complex process of Civil Aviation, and its no different in any part of the world......lets just not condemn our DGCA or MOCA, infact it has still one of teh highest safety records in the world. KOUSTAV M.DHAR ( ex-Airline CEO )
Thank You Koustav. Appreciate you sharing your experience. Lets hope the Minister of Civil Aviation will prove everybody wrong when they say the dispersal of the Acquisition Committee will delay decisions. Here's to a new changed 2013!
DeleteAirCosta already has the import permit for two Embraer 170s. Ex Gulf Air Reg - A9C-MA; A9C-MB. Their pilots/engineers are endorsed on the Embraer 170. Aircraft are expected to arrive at the end of this month.
Deletethank you for share such ur knowledge. can you tell me about zav airways? i heared about kolkata based airlines going to start soon.
DeleteNot sure when they are due to depart,but there are 2 EMB 170's,in Air Costa livery,sitting outside Flybe's maint hangars at Exeter Airport.
DeleteAir Costa's First Two EMB aircraft's reached vijayawada airport yesterday.Soon there will be an official announcement on its commencement of operations.
DeleteThe two aircraft have landed in Bengaluru on 31May13.
DeleteI saw 2 Air Costa aircrafts parked at vijayawada airport on June 14th, 2013.
DeleteAny update about Volk Airlines...
ReplyDeletevolk Airlines has not paid salary to staff for the last 3 months ......the salary is half since past 6 months.....they have not even applied for NOC....any more update needed ?
Deleteany updates about aircosta...?
ReplyDeleteRequesting any update on Aircosta..anybody
ReplyDeleteAny update about aitcosta....?
ReplyDeleteguys is der any updates available on aircosta.....???i got selected as a cabin crew in aircosta on d last october....till now dey havn't send any mails regarding d delay....so if anybody s aware about wot all things happening with aircosta pls reply.....!!!
ReplyDeleteHI............. do not worry its on the way to fly ...wait for fe more days .
Deleteseems aircosta will not fly....
ReplyDeleteaircosta will be launched in may second week
ReplyDeleteAs far as i know its delaying due still lease agreement under process since kingfisher airline closure and lessor unable to recover the aircraft's back.So now all lessors are hesitating to give their aircraft to Indian aviation companies.
ReplyDeleteDear they already have two aircrafts on hand..definitely aircosta will fly in indian skies..all the very best aircosta look forward to see u soon in indian skies..
ReplyDeleteIS IT READY TO START OPRATION THIS SUMMER CAN YOU UPDATE
ReplyDelete2 AIRCOSTA emb170s has landed in vijaywada via bangalore on 30th May 2013.....
DeleteHas Volk Airline got their NOC yet? thr is no info about the airlines all, late year volk airlines was all over the news as they were supposed to launch in sep 2012. some one plz tell if the airline is going to start or not?
ReplyDeleteThe project has been discontinued.The company is of fake nature.They have closed all their offices,deleted their website & is currently absconding.The staff has not been paid since Jan 2013...
DeleteThe company is proved to be fake ! They have closed all their offices,deleted the website & currently absconding.The staff salary is pending since Jan 2013
DeleteI believe AIR COSTA has recruitted the very best from the Aviation Industry. Good luck and hope to see your Aircraft in the Indian skies.
ReplyDeletecan any one tell did ZAV get their NOC.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the main reason for the delay of Aircosta launch???
ReplyDeleteAircosta will be flying in full swing this month.
ReplyDeletehttp://sphotos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/942311_606795486000169_197397067_n.jpg
Can anyone tell an exact date of Aircosta launch????
ReplyDeleteby next month 1st week
DeleteAircosta launching date???
ReplyDeletePress Release
ReplyDeleteAir Costa to launch operations soon
Air Costa – The new entrant in the Airline Industry
Vijayawada, AP, June 16, 2013 – Air Costa, the first-ever regional domestic airline based out of Andhra Pradesh, will soon be launched in July, 2013. Based in Vijayawada, Air Costa will be focusing on operations in South India.
Headquartered at Vijayawada, the LEPL Group, which has a very strong presence in urban infrastructure, power, hospitality, education and entertainment sectors, proposes to launch the airline with a fleet of 3 E Jets that are most suitable for the regional short-haul connectivity between Tier-II and III cities with the major metros.
These aircrafts have landed in Vijayawada, the maintenance base and headquarters. Air Costa is in the process of getting the final approvals from the DGCA. Air Costa plans to operate flights to six stations in the first phase.
“Air Costa has chosen the state-of-the-art 21st Century fly-by-wire Embraer E-Jets for their efficiency and reliability. Our plan is to link underserved markets in India with more direct flights,” said Captain Babu, CEO of Air Costa. “The E170 and E190 Jets are ideal both in size and range. We can add frequencies and routes without adding too much capacity, thus serving places with seasonal demand, as well as key secondary and tertiary business centers.”
Air Costa will initially connect cities in Southern India such as Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Vijayawada, as well as key secondary cities in the north and northwest of the country.
“Regional air services have a lot of potential in India, especially as the economy of South Indian cities is booming. We are committed to further growth in the Indian market by undertaking additions to our fleet and launching new routes over the medium term” said Ramesh Lingamaneni, Chairman and Managing Director of Air Costa. “We are very pleased with the support that Embraer has provided to us for the launch of our Air Costa and we look forward to a long successful and mutually rewarding relationship.”
Aircosta to launch operations soon. When????
DeleteON 15th they planning to lauch..All the very best ..WELCOME TO THE INDIAN SKIES..................
ReplyDeleteReceived this Press Release but no contact- so cannot vouch for it
ReplyDeleteNeelam
Air Costa to launch operations soon
Air Costa – The new entrant in the Airline Industry
Vijayawada, AP, June 16, 2013 – Air Costa, the first-ever regional domestic airline based out of Andhra Pradesh, will soon be launched in July, 2013. Based in Vijayawada, Air Costa will be focusing on operations in South India.
Headquartered at Vijayawada, the LEPL Group, which has a very strong presence in urban infrastructure, power, hospitality, education and entertainment sectors, proposes to launch the airline with a fleet of 3 E Jets that are most suitable for the regional short-haul connectivity between Tier-II and III cities with the major metros.
These aircrafts have landed in Vijayawada, the maintenance base and headquarters. Air Costa is in the process of getting the final approvals from the DGCA. Air Costa plans to operate flights to six stations in the first phase.
“Air Costa has chosen the state-of-the-art 21st Century fly-by-wire Embraer E-Jets for their efficiency and reliability. Our plan is to link underserved markets in India with more direct flights,” said Captain Babu, CEO of Air Costa. “The E170 and E190 Jets are ideal both in size and range. We can add frequencies and routes without adding too much capacity, thus serving places with seasonal demand, as well as key secondary and tertiary business centers.”
Air Costa will initially connect cities in Southern India such as Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Vijayawada, as well as key secondary cities in the north and northwest of the country.
“Regional air services have a lot of potential in India, especially as the economy of South Indian cities is booming. We are committed to further growth in the Indian market by undertaking additions to our fleet and launching new routes over the medium term” said Ramesh Lingamaneni, Chairman and Managing Director of Air Costa. “We are very pleased with the support that Embraer has provided to us for the launch of our Air Costa and we look forward to a long successful and mutually rewarding relationship.”
Is it real first regional domestic airline? I think paramount?
ReplyDeletePlease clarify.
There are rumors that at last MOCA is considering reducing the international operations eligibility aircraft numbers from 20 to 10 in order to attract more foreign money to India. Isn't it stupidity for the Government to stick on 20 aircraft policy to fly international when foreign carriers with just one or two aircrafts fly to/from India without any such restrictions? Anybody aware of the real status of the talks??
ReplyDeleteFolks, anybody aware if MMA Airlines of Ras Al Khaima took to the skies? There were reports that the Airline launched in March 2012 and have acquired two Airbus 320s, but no news later on. Any updates??
ReplyDeleteAny update on Aircosta launch ? Don't tell like soon or this month
ReplyDeleteIs their any updates regarding Aircosta .. Did they got approval from DGCA, if not then when it is expected ?
ReplyDeleteAnybody know current status of Aircosta ?
ReplyDeleteLatest news is that Air Costa will start operations any time between 26Sep to 15Oct with 3 Embraer Jets
ReplyDeleteHope to see them start soon..
thank's for your information ^___^
ReplyDeletevery nice post !
http://www.livemint.com/Companies/1FaCX3P6lnhhJmDgAgwxbK/Air-Costa-to-begin-operations-in-two-months.html
ReplyDeleteWhy Should the airline wait for Two Months more after having received the aircraft in May-2013 ??
ReplyDeleteDelivery of 3rd aircraft delayed their plans. As per DGCA norms regional carriers need to have minimum of 3 aircrafts where as full time scheduled operators must maintain 5 aircrafts.
ReplyDeleteAir Costa conducted trail runs in Vijayawada airport yesterday. It is expected to receive final NOC for air port slots by end of this month.
http://www.andhranews.com/ftopic4851.html&start=4
The applicant shall acquire a fleet of minimum three aircraft/ multiengine
Deletehelicopters either by outright purchase or through lease, within a period of two
years. At the end of five years, the airline shall be required to operate with a
minimum five aircraft. To facilitate the start of operations, operators will be
permitted to operate with one aeroplane/ helicopter and will be given two years
time from the date of securing operator’s permit, to have the fleet size of three
aircraft.
Finally Air Costa will fly from October..
Deletehttp://www.deccanherald.com/content/358262/air-costa-may-start-ops.html
Air Costa may start ops next month
ReplyDeleteNew Delhi, Sep 19, 2013, DHNS:
On a day Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines struck a deal to enter into aviation sector, an Indian airline Air Costa announced that it is likely to start operations next month.
Claimed to be the country’s first regional airline, Air Costa said it has received the clearance from regulator Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Wednesday clearing the way to start its scheduled flight operations.
The airline is promoted by Vijayawada-based LEPL. Ramesh Lingamaneni, Managing Director of LEPL, said, “it is a proud moment and major milestone.
“We are confident that Air Costa would redefine travel experience to tier II and III cities in India and we invite all for a 'happy flying' experience with us,” he said.
The airline will start its operations with two E-170 and two E-190 Embraer E-Jets, having twin-class cabin configuration with its own version of comfort and class and competitive fares to provide a happy flying experience.
Air Costa is expected to launch flight operations in the month of October and will start sale of tickets soon, Captain K N Babu, CEO of Air Costa, said.
Initially, the airline will connect Vijayawada, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad and Jaipur.
It also has plans to start service to cities like Pune, Goa, Madurai, Trivandrum and Vizakhapattinam.
LEPL is a conglomerate headquartered at Vijayawada having presence in urban infrastructure, aviation, renewable energy, hospitality, education and entertainment.
Air Costa secured final approvals from DGCA to start scheduled flight operations. Air Costa will operate from Vijayawada as a hub. The company stated in a press release that it would start operations with two E-170 and an equal number of E-190 Embraer E-Jets. Initially, the airlines would connect to Vijayawada, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad and Jaipur. Thereafter, it would spread its wings to other cities like Pune, Goa, Madurai, Trivandrum and Visakhapatnam.
ReplyDeleteThis is a new beginning for Vijayawada in aviation. So far Spicejet, Jetairways and AirIndia connects this city to Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mumbai and Delhi with ATR-72, Bombardier, embraer, Boeing and Airbus jets.
Air Costa may start ops next month
On a day Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines struck a deal to enter into aviation sector, an Indian airline Air Costa announced that it is likely to start operations next month.
Claimed to be the country’s first regional airline, Air Costa said it has received the clearance from regulator Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Wednesday clearing the way to start its scheduled flight operations.
The airline is promoted by Vijayawada-based LEPL. Ramesh Lingamaneni, Managing Director of LEPL, said, “it is a proud moment and major milestone.
“We are confident that Air Costa would redefine travel experience to tier II and III cities in India and we invite all for a 'happy flying' experience with us,” he said.
The airline will start its operations with two E-170 and two E-190 Embraer E-Jets, having twin-class cabin configuration with its own version of comfort and class and competitive fares to provide a happy flying experience.
Air Costa is expected to launch flight operations in the month of October and will start sale of tickets soon, Captain K N Babu, CEO of Air Costa, said.
Initially, the airline will connect Vijayawada, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad and Jaipur.
It also has plans to start service to cities like Pune, Goa, Madurai, Trivandrum and Vizakhapattinam.
LEPL is a conglomerate headquartered at Vijayawada having presence in urban infrastructure, aviation, renewable energy, hospitality, education and entertainment.
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/358 ... t-ops.html
http://www.business-standard.com/articl ... 335_1.html
Hi nice blog thanks for sharing ,Searching for fully furnished office space for rent we will provide you the genuine office space
ReplyDeleteAir Costa to launch services next month
ReplyDeleteAir Costa to launch regional services next month
Higher export duty prompts miners to look at pelletisation
Cooper rejects Apollo's demand to cut deal size
Mineral Mill Manufacturer
World-class mineral mill Supplier, 24 hours'on-line serviceZenithCrusher.com/Grinding-Mills
No-Annual Fee Credit Card
Get Best Credit Card For Free, Compare 10+, Apply Online Now.www.PolicyBazaar.com/credit-Cards
Ads by Google
LEPL Group, a Vijayawada-based real estate and renewable energy company, will be investing over $100 million (or approximately Rs 617 crore) in its airline business ‘Air Costa’ through internal accruals during the next two years, according to its chairman L Ramesh.
Announcing that Air Costa, the first regional airline from Andhra Pradesh, would be launching its commercial operations with the first flight from Vijayawada to Bangalore on October 14, Ramesh told mediapersons on Tuesday that the company would initially start with two Embraer E-170 jets. It aims to have five E-170s and E-190s this year, 10 next year and take the total fleet size to 25 aircraft by 2018.
“Air Costa will initially connect Vijayawada, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Jaipur and Ahmedabad and spread its wings to other cities like Pune, Vizag, Goa, Madurai, Mysore and Thiruvananthapuram in a phased manner,” he said, adding it would be having pan-India operations by 2015 with 14 routes and reach 25 destinations in three years from then.
With its main base in Vijayawada and maintenance centre in Chennai, Air Costa will follow a flexi-fare system with the lowest fare being Rs 3,000.
The low-cost airline, which currently has about 300 employees including foreign pilots and engineers, is also in the process of setting up an MRO facility at Gannavaram Airport near Vijayawada in one-and-a-half years from now.
According to Deepak David, financial adviser to LEPL, air travel is expected to grow steadily in India with a compound annual growth rate of 20 per cent. This is expected to see the air traffic cross 70 million by 2014.
Rapid urbanisation has led to the burst in traffic between metros and non-metros, he said, adding there was scarcity for regional and charter operations in south India.
“There is a huge market potential in such point-to-point and feeder routes, which offer 59 per cent of potential RPKMs (revenue per kilometre). These are the non-trunk routes that Air Costa will tap into,” David added.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpS5bO94lHw
Deletehttp://www.deccanchronicle.com/131009/news-businesstech/article/air-costa-takes-connect-towns
ReplyDeleteAir Costa, Andhra Pradesh's first regional airline promoted by the LEPL group, will launch its commercial operations from October 14, its Chairman L Ramesh said today.
ReplyDeleteWith coastal city Vijayawada as its base, Air Costa would initially operate flights to Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, Jaipur and Ahmedabad and subsequently to Madurai, Visakhapatnam, Goa, Thriuvananthapuram and Mysore, Ramesh told reporters here.
LEPL is currently into infrastructure and power sectors and make its first foray into aviation.
"We have already obtained all formal approvals from DGCA for Air Costa operations," the Chairman said.
"We have already taken delivery of two Embraer E-170 jets with twin cabin configuration and will add two E-190 jets next month.
"By the end of 2014, we will add another ten E-190 jets to our fleet," Ramesh said, adding that LEPL would invest a sum of $100 million in the airline business over the next two years.
Embraer jets were "safe, efficient and economical", offering the same comfort of a larger jet aircraft, he said.
"Our mission is to make a niche in the growing air travel market by linking metros to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities through direct point-to-point connectivity. We have a clear operational strategy that is designed to serve under-served and lesser-competitive routes.
Air Costa will capitalise on the surge in demand for air travel in the country and we will follow a flexi-fare system that is dynamic and market-driven," the Chairman added.
Air Costa currently has 300 personnel on its rolls, including foreign pilots and engineers, and plans to have a dedicated engineering complex at Gannavaram airport (Vijayawada) for maintenance, repair and overhaul.
Air Costa Chief Executive Officer Capt K N Babu and other officials of the airline were present.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/new ... 729992.cms
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/361 ... asara.html
http://www.thehindu.com/business/Indust ... 214304.ece
Air Costa Starts VGA-BLR-JAI route from Oct14th.
ReplyDeleteAir Costa has already started its operations from 14th October 2013.
ReplyDeletehey i found very useful info here on your blog.
ReplyDeletekeep posting this type of info.its very useful. air costa airlines flight ticket booking
Flights from Hyderabad to Goa
ReplyDeleteNice blog...& it's very interesting blog Flights from Hyderabad to Trivandrum
ReplyDeleteHi nice blog thanks for sharing ,Searching forFlights from Hyderabad to Pune
ReplyDeleteAircosta has started its operation from 15oct13, Now aircosta is connecting Trier II cities and Trier I citys like - HYDERABAD , BENGALURU, CHENNAI , VIJAYAWADA, JAIPUR, AHMEDABAD for now verry soon by End of Mar14 will start connecting MADHURAI , COIMBATORE, VIZAG, aswell,
ReplyDeleteAircosta has state of the art aircrafts which are EMBREAR E-170 E-JETS ( 67 seater - 60 Economy ( 2+2 seating config) & 7 Economy with ( 2+1 seating config) ),and First time in india Aircosta is introducing E-190 E-jETS ( 112 Seater All Economy with 2+2 seating config), to know more log on to www.aircosta.in
Hi does anyone have a contact detail for AirCosta - I wanted to see if they have a cargo plan / operation?
ReplyDeleteAviation sectors having v.much growth and essential to promote the devolopement and to fill up the communication gap by fast and time saving
ReplyDeleteconvence but we dont know why the so many proposed airlines to connect
as regional,fedder and national sectors are taking shape since several years
it can be due Govt policy or lack of coordniations also openings are lying for
cargo airlines to promote the shipment of agriculture product in distant places by air services,
thank you for share such ur knowledge. can you tell me about zav airways? i heared about kolkata based airlines going to start soon!!!
ReplyDeletewhat about air pegasus...will it fly?
ReplyDelete