• From Runways to Remote Towns: The India One Air Story told by CEO Wg Cdr Prem Garg

By Sangeeta Saxena

New Delhi. 22 July 2025. “Wings to the Heartland: India One Air’s Mission to Connect Tier-2 & Tier-3 Cities” reflects the airline’s transformative vision, as articulated by it’s CEO, who affirms, General Aviation is the future for regional India. From linking remote airstrips to enabling seamless intra-regional mobility, India One Air is “making India fly from the inside out.” With its fleet of small aircraft creating “big impact,” the airline is bridging geographical divides and fulfilling the promise of UDAN by connecting India’s hinterlands one flight at a time. “Flying into the future” is not just about expanding routes, but also about offering last-mile air access to underserved communities. Through its determined focus on underserved airports and grassroots connectivity, India One Air is writing the story of “wings of change” — one takeoff from a remote town at a time.

At the recent Western Region Conclave for Civil Aviation Ministers, Aviation & Defence Universe (ADU) caught up with Wing Commander Prem Garg (Retd.), CEO & Accountable Manager at India One Air and DGCA Examiner. As one of the few scheduled commuter airlines dedicated to regional connectivity, India One Air is pioneering last-mile air travel for Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities across India. In this insightful exchange, Wing Commander Garg shared his perspectives on the growth of general aviation, the importance of infrastructure development, and the airline’s ambitious journey under UDAN.

ADU. India One Air is among the very few operators focusing exclusively on Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. What inspired this vision?

Wg Cdr Prem Garg (Retd.). We saw an enormous gap in regional connectivity—particularly in the smaller towns that lacked viable air travel options. UDAN was a game-changer, and we at IndiaOne Air took it as an opportunity to give these underserved areas a connection to the skies. Our aim is to make flying affordable and accessible, not just a luxury. With smaller aircraft and dedicated teams, we’re able to operate where others hesitate.It exemplifies the spirit of regional aviation—resilient, resourceful and forward-looking. With India One Air, we are not just operating an airline, but opening gateways for economic and social development in India’s interiors. Our vision for regional aviation places Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities squarely on the national connectivity map, bringing India’s heartland closer to the future of flight.

ADU. Tell us about India One Air and its operations.

Wg Cdr Prem Garg (Retd.). India One Air is a scheduled commuter airline headquartered in Ahmedabad. While our corporate base is in Ahmedabad, our primary operational base is located in Bhubaneswar. We currently operate three Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft, which are state-of-the-art, all-glass cockpit aircraft with a nine-seat configuration. Over the past three years, we’ve successfully operated more than 9,000 commercial flights under the small aircraft scheduled operations category.

ADU. What routes and cities are currently part of your network?

Wg Cdr Prem Garg (Retd.). We are presently operating across 18 routes, connecting eight cities—all originating from Bhubaneswar. Our major operational hubs include Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Visakhapatnam, and Raipur. The core idea behind our network is to connect Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities with Tier 3 locations—especially those with short runways categorized as 2B, which typically means a runway length of less than one kilometre.

ADU. Could you elaborate on the Tier 3 cities you serve and how has it made a difference to them?

Wg Cdr Prem Garg (Retd.). We connect four key Tier 3 cities with shorter runways: Cooch Behar in West Bengal, Jamshedpur in Jharkhand, Utkela and Jeypore  in Odisha. These locations have runway lengths ranging from 700 to 1,000 meters—where larger aircraft like the ATRs cannot operate. If you look at the geography, these airports are often 8 to 12 hours by road or rail from the nearest Tier 2 cities. In some instances, like Jamshedpur to Cooch Behar, it could even take 20 hours. That’s a huge inconvenience, especially for medical emergencies, the elderly, and children. By providing direct connectivity, we are transforming accessibility.

ADU. Was this network expansion aligned with any government initiative?

Wg Cdr Prem Garg (Retd.). Yes, our entire business model is conceptualized under the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme. The primary goal of UDAN is to connect underserved and unserved airports, particularly in Tier 3 cities. As we know, India’s aviation sector is on a growth trajectory, and regional connectivity is the backbone of inclusive development. We’re proud to be playing a part in making air travel more accessible across the country.

ADU. Is general aviation becoming affordable for people in small towns and Tier-3 cities?

Wg Cdr Prem Garg (Retd.). That’s where the vision of the UDAN scheme comes in. Launched in 2016, UDAN was conceptualised to address the viability of regional aviation in India, especially for Tier-3 cities. The initial scheme is valid until 2026, but given its success, it’s already been extended until 2036. The government has recognised that small aircraft operations, especially those with under 19 seats, have significantly higher per-seat operational costs—sometimes 3 to 4 times that of a large aircraft. To keep fares affordable—say in the ₹3,000–₹4,000 range for a 300-kilometre journey—the government introduced viability gap funding (VGF) to bridge the cost difference.

ADU. So, small aircraft and short runways—how big is the potential for expansion?

Wg Cdr Prem Garg (Retd.). Enormous. India has over 200 brownfield airports, many of them legacy airstrips from World War II, just lying unused. These Tier-3 cities need connectivity to Tier-1 and Tier-2 hubs. Even with improved road and rail infrastructure, air travel remains indispensable in saving time and enabling critical access—for medical emergencies, elderly care, or even business mobility. When a small aircraft lands in one of these cities, it’s not just about transportation. It’s a morale booster and a symbol of integration. What used to take 8 to 12 hours—sometimes more than 20—is now doable in just one hour.

ADU. How has India One Air approached this regional model under UDAN?

Wg Cdr Prem Garg (Retd.). We launched our operations in 2020 and received our scheduled commuter airline license in June 2022. Since then, with just three aircraft, we’ve operated over 9,000 flights—effectively proving the concept. The idea was to test intra- and inter-state regional connectivity in a focused geography. We realised—along with government bodies like BAOA—that for these small aircraft to operate sustainably, support must come not only from the centre but also from state governments and, eventually, local businesses. We see this as more of a CSR-driven ecosystem than a pure profit-making venture. If a region benefits from aviation connectivity, it should take partial ownership. That’s the only way we can make this model viable in the long run.

ADU. Do you see a future for this model beyond the pilot phase?

Wg Cdr Prem Garg (Retd.). Absolutely. There’s now a shift in policy thinking. The responsibility of making these operations viable is no longer seen as solely the operator’s burden. The region that gains from connectivity—be it in economic activity, emergency care, or accessibility—must invest in keeping it running. Once this model is validated, we expect larger numbers, better code-sharing with major airlines, and a graduated aircraft mix—from 9-seaters to 19-seaters, then to 70-seaters, and eventually Airbus-level aircraft. It’s about integrating small aircraft into the broader civil aviation ecosystem. With this roadmap, we can also address challenges in training, pilot shortages, and technical manpower more effectively.

ADU. What is your long-term vision for regional air connectivity in India?

Wg Cdr Prem Garg (Retd.). The way we see it, this model of regional aviation creates an entire ecosystem. When people see growth coming out of this connectivity—economic, social, and infrastructural—many of the existing challenges will naturally get resolved. Everyone wants growth, and aviation can catalyse that growth in Tier-3 regions. That is the bigger vision we are committed to.

And ofcourse no interview with India One Air’s CEO can be complete without a question on the Bollywood Bonanza which made him a hero. Film stars R. Madhavan and Fatima Sana Shaikh recently chose India One Air’s business jet service for their travel from Kolkata to Jamshedpur and back, during the publicity drive of their new film Aap Jaisa Koi, reflecting the growing preference for regional air connectivity among high-profile passengers. Their journey aboard the sleek, efficient aircraft highlights the convenience and time-saving advantages offered by India One Air, especially on niche Tier-2 and Tier-3 routes. By opting for this regional carrier, the stars not only supported India’s UDAN vision but also showcased how general aviation is becoming the go-to choice for celebrities seeking quick, comfortable, and direct access to emerging city destinations like Jamshedpur.

ADU. How did it feel to have ferried R Madhavan and Fatma Sana Sheikh?

Wg Cdr Prem Garg (Retd.). It was an absolute delight and a proud moment for all of us at India One Air to welcome the legendary R. Madhavan and Fatima Sana Shaikh—stars of Aap Jaisa Koi—on board during their journey from Jamshedpur to Kolkata and back. Experiences like these reaffirm our mission of bridging India’s heartland with its metro cities. We were honoured by Mr. Madhavan’s gracious words and support, which truly energize our vision of last-mile connectivity. Moments like these showcase how even Tier 3 towns can now be connected seamlessly with the rest of the country, enabling access and opportunity for all.

India’s business aviation sector has witnessed significant growth in connectivity between Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities, driven by the increasing economic activity beyond metropolitan areas. With rising disposable incomes, decentralisation of corporate hubs, and expansion of regional industrial clusters, there is a growing demand for faster, more flexible air travel solutions. Business jets and turboprops have become preferred modes of travel for executives, entrepreneurs, and investors seeking to access cities like Indore, Coimbatore, Bhubaneswar, and Lucknow directly from metros such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.

Wg Cdr Prem Garg (Retd.) exemplifies the spirit of regional aviation—resilient, resourceful, and forward-looking. With IndiaOne Air, he’s not just operating an airline, but opening gateways for economic and social development in India’s interiors. His vision for regional aviation places Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities squarely on the national connectivity map, bringing India’s heartland closer to the future of flight.

As told to Sangeeta Saxena