Low-cost, long-haul Flypop expects surge in demand for Indian flights

Flypop CE Nino Judge thinks this is a perfect moment to start an airline – particularly one with a distinct “low-cost, long haul” model, and serving a market set to “surge” as the pandemic retreats. Flypop – which will connect London’s Stansted airport with secondary Indian cities using leased, single-class Airbus A330s – is in the final stages of attaining its UK air operator’s certificate. He plans to launch services – initially to Amritsar, Ahmedabad and possibly Goa – immediately restrictions on air travel between the UK and India are lifted, possibly as early as October, he believes. “As soon as India is green-lit, we will be ready,” he says, referring to the UK’s traffic light system of rules for international travel. “It’s a great time to be doing this.” After months of tight restrictions on flying between the two countries, there will be a “surge of demand”, mainly from the VFR (visiting friends and relatives) segment, he maintains. Flypop has two unique features, says Judge, who is appearing on a panel entitled “The roadmap to returning to the skies – the future of air travel” at Farnborough International Airshow Connect on 14 July.<br/>