New Indian regional airline flybig plans to acquire up to 10 De Havilland Twin Otter Series 400 aircraft.
Big Charter Private Limited, the owner of flybig, has signed a Letter of Intent with plans to work towards a purchase agreement to include five firm aircraft orders and options for another five.
Flybig commenced operations in January 2021. It aims to provide connections to remote communities and currently has a fleet of three ATR 72 turboprop aircraft.
The Twin Otter is a 19-passenger short take-off and landing aircraft with twin turboprop engines and can be fitted with floats or a fixed tricycle landing gear.
“De Havilland Canada’s Twin Otter Series 400 is the right aircraft for our operations because of its proven record for safe, reliable operations and its versatility — including the capability to land on land or water,” said Captain Sanjay Mandavia, chairman and managing director of flybig in a statement on March 24, 2022.
Philippe Poutissou, vice president, sales and Marketing at De Havilland Canada welcomed the deal: “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.”