Hans Airways is a new Low-Cost Long-Haul startup

UK startup Hans Airways has been quietly laying plans to begin flying from Birmingham to points in India, and is making steady progress towards the launch of its flights.

Since it’s start in 2021 and recent deal signing for its first A330-200. But the messages are carefully measured, meticulously specific and lack all of the over-promising that can be typical of a new entrant.

Chief executive of Hans Airways, Satnam Saini, takes a modest approach to communications, cherishing the importance of trust above all else. Understanding that setting arbitrary dates and then failing to deliver does nothing but harm, he prefers to work quietly, lining up the pieces of the puzzle in private.

Saini’s business plan aims to fill a gap in the market between the UK and India. While he’s not ready to announce any destinations, he’s been clear from day one that Birmingham Airport (BHX) will be the home of Hans. His desire to serve the Sikh community and wider Indian diaspora with direct connections to secondary cities makes a lot of sense. But with a view to serving an incredibly price-sensitive market, is this another low-cost long-haul disaster waiting to happen?

Saini understands all too well the hazards of trying to embrace a truly low-cost model when your flights are in the air for such extended periods. The risk with giving food and beverage for free is that it’s taking away important ancillary revenue from the airline. But Saini has a plan for this.

While the airline is yet to be specific on just how affordable the flights are going to be, Saini noted that their business plan will ensure they can compete on price against full-service Air India. Many may label Hans as a low-cost long-haul airline, but what is being proposed here is much more of a hybrid scenario. simpleflying.com