Low-fare long-haul carrier Hans Airways launch thrown into doubt

Low-fare long-haul carrier Hans Airways have released a statement citing that the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) ‘rightly stringent financial criteria’ continue to hamper its launch plans.

This announcement comes a few months after, in November, the airline announced a successful completion of a new round of financing, satisfying the CAA’s criteria for an Air Operator Certificate. It also reshuffled its board, appointing Nathan Burkitt as its new CEO.

Back in November, the airline admitted that “establishing a new airline is never straightforward, and there will inevitably be hurdles along the way,” – words which are echoed now in the new statement released as the launch plans are delayed yet again.

The airline has said it is “pursuing a number of options” which includes relinquishing its first A330 aircraft, and opening a dialogue with “new investors and lessors.” The airline remains “in close and cordial dialogue” with the CAA, but no further comment has been made about its work with the UK authority, casting doubts over the long-term viability of this low-fare long-haul (LFLH) airline.

Hans Airways is set up as a LFLH model, aiming to launch non-stop services between Birmingham, UK and Amritsar, India.