A UK-based start-up airline named flypop has officially signed a lease deal for multiple A330-300 aircraft with Irish aircraft lessor Avolon.
The new airline has not announced how many aircraft are covered under the lease agreement, however did say that it engaged in lengthy discussions with a number of lessors before deciding upon Avolon, given its “competitive rate and a pipeline of aircraft into 2023″.
According to flypop chief executive Navdip Singh Judge, the deal has allowed the airline to officially submit its application for an Air Operator Certificate with the UK Civil Aviation Authority, bringing it one step closer to launching its first flights connecting London and India.
“As a twin-engine double-aisle wide-body that can carry over 400 passengers, the A330-300 aircraft will deliver everything we want to offer our flypop passengers, especially the lowest seat prices to India,” Judge said.
The start-up’s chief executive also thanked the UK government for the financial assistance the carrier received under the UK Future Fund, which Judge said enabled flypop to raise the funding it needs to continue.
Avalon senior vice president for marketing in Europe, Middle East & Africa Martyn Lewis said, “We look forward to working with flypop on its exciting imminent launch of flights between the UK and India.
“We will work with flypop on its future growth strategy and expansion of routes and provide further aircraft as required. At launch, flypop will commence operations with one aircraft and plans to add an extra aircraft every six months. It’s not every day we help launch a new British long-haul scheduled carrier.”
The airline was initially intending to launch its intercontinental flights between the UK and India in 2020, however in light of the pandemic, was unable to do so.
Flypop now intends to begin its international operations later this year, following the UK government removing the ban on Britons for non-essential travel.
The airline reportedly intends to launch with three flights per week from its hub at London Stansted Airport to the Punjab city of Amritsar. Flypop will also launch routes connecting London and the Gujarat city of Ahmedabad.
Following the launch and establishment of routes between the UK and India, the airline said it intends to venture out to other south-east Asian destinations.
