Repossession of Indian regional airline Flybig’s ATR assets has commenced in the central business district of Gujararat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) following unpaid dues.
Affected aircraft include three ATR 72-500/600s, one of which was returned by mutual agreement earlier this month before the 12-year-old turboprop was subsequently sold to Buddha Air in Nepal. The repossession process for the other two ATRs is also underway.
Speaking to the Hindu Business Line, Flybig’s chief financial officer Goku Indani explained that “current events are a result of [their] decision to surrender the ATR aircraft due to the aircraft’s technical issues,” confirming that these included “a global shortage of spare parts, which has extensively affected the operational efficiency of {Flybig’s] fleet”.
However, the airline intends to continue operations with its two de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otters. Although routes in certain sectors (including the northeast) have been adversely affected by the loss of its ATRs, Flybig remains “committed to find a fast resolution” and hopes to resume operations “at the earliest”.