UK airline Hans Airways is “stepping up” discussions with potential new investors as the start-up looks to secure the financial backing that will allow it to start flights between the UK and India.
The carrier wants to fly from its base at Birmingham airport to secondary cities in India and had initially hoped to start services last summer.
In its latest update, Hans Airways admitted that meeting the “stringent financial criteria” required by the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to allow it to start scheduled flights “continues to hinder our launch plans”.
“This is despite satisfying all technical aspects of long-haul airline operations and maintaining a solvent start-up business since our inception in 2019,” said the airline in a statement.
“In light of this we are pursuing a number of options. This includes the relinquishing of our first aircraft and stepped up dialogue with prospective new investors and lessors. We maintain close and cordial dialogue with the CAA.”
Hans Airways last year agreed the lease for its first Airbus A330-200 aircraft, as well as completing a new round of funding in November 2022.