
US-based aviation company NS Aviation on Monday said that it has acquired an 85 per cent stake in the Hyderabad-based budget airline TruJet, which had ceased all operations in February 2022.
The total valuation of the acquisition is Rs 450 crore and the transaction will be completed soon, said Isha Ali, Vice Chairman of NS Aviation. She also said that NS Aviation is planning to induct 100 Airbus 320 Neo aircraft in India.
The new airline will initially focus on domestic operations, with key metro cities such as Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata, and Hyderabad as primary destinations.
NS Aviation plans to expand into the international market in the near future, utilizing these airports as a foundation. "We will operate flights to Tier-II and III cities by the end of this year and International destinations by the next one-and-half year," Ali said.
Additionally, NS Aviation plans to include ten Airbus aircraft for international cargo operations, further expanding its capabilities.
TruJet said it was thrilled to resume operations with fresh investments from NS Aviation. With a focus on UDAN connectivity, TruJet aims to strengthen its network and serve previously underserved regions, making air travel more accessible to the masses.
With TruJet's current permissions, NS Aviation plans to cover 116 UDAN routes, promoting connectivity across India. The airline aims to add 100 Airbus 320 Neo aircraft to its fleet, focusing on the metro and tier-2 cities.
Operations are expected to commence as early as October, with competitive pricing, attractive offers, and complimentary meals to attract passengers, the airline said.
During an investor's interaction, V Umesh, Managing Director of TruJet, expressed excitement about relaunching TruJet as a full-service airline, emphasizing the team's dedication to providing seamless and friendly experiences to travellers.