TELANGANA: The central government-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd has introduced a new 19-seater passenger aircraft. These may be included in the Udaan plan. Named Hindustan 228, the aircraft can easily take off and land on airstrips. This is the first step in India's vital mission to develop small passenger aircrafts.

"There is a huge potential for these kinds of aircraft in the market. There are few aircraft in India and across the world that are designed for short-haul travel and can operate on a semi-prepared runway. This aircraft can have many utilities. They can be used as an ambulance, cargo, parajam or paradrop, etc. It is a multi-utility aircraft," HAL general manager Apurba Roy said. Six more such aircraft will be built soon.

Although made in India, the aircraft's engine was designed by foreign company Dornier. All the testing parameters have been completed.

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The multi-utility Hindustan 228 aircraft can be used for a variety of purposes such as ambulances, cargo and paradrops.

Larger aircraft will not have toilet facilities. The number of seats will be limited to 17 if toilet is to be included.

The aircraft can carry up to 19 people