Mysuru-based medical device manufacturer Skanray Technologies announced its plans to venture into the aviation sector, primarily to improve air connectivity from the city to key destinations across the country.
Skanjet Aviation is aiming to begin operations from Mysuru in April, once it gets the necessary approvals from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Vishwaprasad Alva, managing director of Skanray, said: “The city must grow in a structured manner and avoid the pitfalls of unplanned urban expansion like Bengaluru. Mysuru has the scope to emerge as an international expo destination, a healthcare and wellness hub, an EdTech centre, and a base for agrotech growth supporting Kodagu, Mandya and Chamarajanagar.”
The initial route is set to connect Mysuru with Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi via Mangaluru, Mumbai via Hubballi, Goa via Bengaluru, and Tirupati via Visakhapatnam with three ATR 72 aircraft and extend it to six in a year.
“Better flight links can drastically cut travel time for nearby cities and towns that currently take five to six hours by road,” Alva said. “This will benefit business, tourism and regional growth,”
He said talks have been ongoing for the past five years, and added that discussions were held with the then MP Pratap Simha, under the Centre’s UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) Regional Connectivity Scheme.
The estimated initial investment is Rs 150-200 crore. He added that Skanjet Airlines aims to bridge Mysuru’s connectivity gap, and if the policy assurance from both the state and the Union governments remain consistent, the regional airline can break even within two years.
Alva acknowledged the challenges in the sector, especially in the face of the recent IndiGo chaos, and equated it to the high-risk sector like medtech, where he had already ventured. “Very few are willing to venture into this space. Our aim is steady, sustainable growth without being overshadowed by larger players,” he said.