February 19, 2006: In an attempt to connect the countyr’s remote destinations , Pawan Hans, the country's largest helicopter operator, has lined up plans to make an entry into the regional airline market with a fleet of small fixed-wing aircraft. The small aircraft would seat about 20 passengers, said a report.

In spite of the fact that the domestic aviation has seen tremendous growth, the slot for a purely regional airline has been vacant. The government-owned Vayudoot had suspended operations more than a decade ago. The smallest aircraft flown now are the 40-something-seater ATR-42s operated by four airlines that also operate larger aircraft like the A-320s and Boeing 737s. According to a report, ATRs are operated on routes like Delhi-Bhopal that cannot actually be termed as a regional sector.

It is here Pawan Hans would play a role. The helicopter operator is likely to buy or lease Dornier aircraft or other 20-seater aircraft to serve as a scheduled operator and a chartered operator to destinations in the Lakshwadeep, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the northeastern states.