Signs agreement with Alliance Air Aviation Limited for ‘Made in India’ Do-228 Aircraft Deployment in Arunachal Pradesh
Alliance Air is an regional airline formed in 1996 and a wholly owned subsidiary of Air India. It operates domestic routes as part of the government’s Regional Connectivity Scheme
Bengaluru, NFAPost: India’s Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) received a major boost with HAL signing a lease agreement with Alliance Air Aviation Limited for the supply of two Civil Do-228 aircraft for regional operations in Arunachal Pradesh.
HAL Transport Aircraft Division (Kanpur) General Manager Apurba Roy and Alliance Air Aviation Limited Head of Engineering Arun Kumar Bansal signed the deal papers in Bengaluru.
The HAL Do- 228 is a versatile aircraft well-suited for operations in the North East and has the capabilities of short take-off and landing, ability to land and take-off from semi-prepared runways.
This development opens a new vista in civil aviation for HAL. The Company is keen to increase its footprint in the regional civil aviation by engaging more numbers of HAL Do-228 by Air Operators of the country.
Speaking on the occasion, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu said it was a big day for the state given the geographical challenges in the vast state, the connectivity will now be easier.
“Very happy to witness the historic lease agreement signing between HAL and Allianceair through video conferencing. Two fixed wing 16-seater Made-in-India DO-228 Aircraft will connect remote parts of Arunachal this winter and usher in a new era of development in the region.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu also expressed his deep gratitude towards Minister of Civil Aviation J M_Scindia and his team of officials led by Secretary P S Kharola and Joint Secretary Usha Padhee. He also specifically thanked HAL, Alliance and Ministry of DoNER for starting a NEW chapter in the aviation history of Arunachal Pradesh to connect the remotest parts of the state.
Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister Bamang Felix, the Chief Secretary of Arunachal Pradesh Naresh Kumar, Secretary (Civil Aviation) of Arunachal Pradesh Swapnil Nayak attended the event virtually through a video conference.
The dignitaries present included MoCA Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola, HAL Chairman and Managing Director R Madhavan, MoCA Joint Secretary Usha Padhee and senior officials from HAL, DGCA and AAI.
HAL’s Transport Aircraft Division, Kanpur has been in the business of transport and trainer aircraft for defence customers. The division has ventured into the manufacturing of Hindustan-228 aircraft.
The Hindustan-228 is a 19-seat multirole utility aircraft built for various applications such as VIP transport, passenger transport, air ambulance, flight inspection roles, cloud seeding, and recreational activities like para jumping, aerial surveillance, photography and cargo applications.
