The Centre has approved the revival of TruJet, previously known as Turbo Megha Airways, as a national-level scheduled airline to meet India’s increasing demand for air transport. Sources have confirmed that the government granted permission after extensive discussions between airline officials and the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA).
TruJet was a regional low-cost airline that operated from 2015 to 2022, with its headquarters located at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad. The airline suspended operations in February 2022 due to severe financial difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly impacted the global aviation industry.
The carrier received approval in 2014 to operate as a provider of ‘Scheduled Air Transport (Regional) Services,’ with a focus on connecting tier-II cities in southern India. Before ceasing operations, TruJet had identified 18 tier-II cities across the region as potential destinations for its regional network.
Enhanced Operating Status
This time, the airline has secured approval to operate as a full-fledged domestic airline, representing a significant upgrade from its previous regional operator status. This enhanced classification allows TruJet to compete directly with major domestic carriers across all Indian routes.
Vankayalapati explained that the company now needs to renew its Air Operators Permit (AoP) with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The renewal process for the AoP usually takes up to 180 days to complete. Once this process is finished, the airline will be able to officially resume commercial operations.
Fleet & Hub Operations
TruJet plans to resume operations with an Airbus A320 aircraft, using Visakhapatnam as the main hub for its narrow-body flights. The airline aims to launch its first flight by November 2025, connecting Visakhapatnam to key destinations such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.
The company is fully preparing for the November launch, emphasizing operational readiness and regulatory compliance. Vankayalapati confirmed that the airline will expand its fleet strategy beyond the A320 platform to include regional aircraft.
Regional Connectivity
TruJet plans to introduce ATR turboprop aircraft to engage in the government’s regional connectivity scheme, UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik). The airline intends to operate these ATR aircraft from Lucknow Airport, aiming to capitalize on the significant growth potential in regional aviation throughout northern India.
Vankayalapati highlighted the significant potential for growth in regional aviation in the Lucknow area. He confirmed plans to introduce ATR aircraft once route allocations are received under the UDAN scheme. This dual-fleet strategy will enable TruJet to serve both mainline and regional markets simultaneously.
The airline has obtained financial support from new investors to aid its revival plans. TruJet plans to invest around ₹200 crore and create jobs for approximately 600 individuals across various operational functions.
Vankayalapati observed that the aviation industry has attracted new players because of its high growth rate, although heavy taxation still poses challenges for market entry. TruJet, a subsidiary of Turbo Aviation, is a Hyderabad-based company that provides aircraft maintenance and ground-handling services.
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