First made-in-India aircraft to start flying; learn about ‘Dornier 228’

ITANAGAR: The first ever made-in-India commercial aircraft ‘Dornier 228’ will start flying on Tuesday, from Dibrugarh in Assam to Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh. It is the first commercial aircraft made in India.

Dornier 228 has an AC cabin capable of both day and night operations. It will help in strengthening air connectivity in the north eastern states.

The aircraft will be flagged off by Union Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia in the presence of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu.

In February, the centre-run Alliance Air had signed an agreement with the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to lease the 17-seater non-pressurized Dornier 228 aircraft as part of the UDAN scheme. The airline received its first Dornier 228 plane on April 7. As of now, Dornier 228 planes have been used by the armed forces only.

Alliance Air will take off into the skies of Arunachal Pradesh with its #MadeInIndia fleet - HAL Dornier 228, working towards a mission to connect the North-Eastern Region of India to enhance commerce and economic growth. pic.twitter.com/4IYmNQwr54

— Alliance Air (@allianceair) April 9, 2022

The advanced landing grounds of the Indian Air Force (IAF) will be used for the aircrafts’ landing, said the officials. The aircraft will operate services to Tezu and then to Ziro, in Arunachal Pradesh. In the second phase, it will connect Vijaynagar and Mechuka among other places, said the officials.