Hans Airways restructures, secures new investment

Tuesday 15th November 2022

Hans Airways today announces the successful completion of a new round of financing which will enable it to progress plans to commence scheduled air services between Birmingham and Amritsar in India - and satisfy existing financial obligations.

Hans Airways has satisfied the Civil Aviation Authority's requirements for an Air Operator’s Certificate. The secured new investment will take the airline to the next stage toward satisfying the CAA of its financial viability and subsequent operating licence to provide revenue air services.

Aligned to the new investment is a management restructure. COO Nathan Burkitt takes on the role of CEO from Satnam Saini, who continues with the airline as a Board director. Dr Barry Humphreys assumes the role of interim Chairman, succeeding Ruchir Verma.

The airline's Board now comprises: Dr Barry Humphreys, Jane Middleton, Dr Peter Malanik, Kirpal Jass, Indervir Jass, Satnam Singh Saini, Nathan Burkitt and Sulagna Roy as Company Secretary .

“Establishing a new airline is never straight-forward and there will inevitably be hurdles along the way. Hans Airways is now well positioned to move forward. With growing evidence of strong demand for additional air services between the UK and India, supplemented by charter opportunities, we have every expectation of being able to launch,” commented Hans Airways Chair Dr Barry Humphreys.

“I am entrusting Nathan and his fine team to deliver my vision for Hans Airways. It has been a long journey and I look forward to continue supporting as Board director,” said Satnam Saini.

Ali Legal Ltd, a London City based corporate law firm acted for the investors. Their team was led by Managing Partner and Corporate Lawyer Akbar Ali.

Nathan Burkitt is COO and

CEO of Hans Airways

About Hans Airways

Hans Airways is the UK’s newest hybrid, long-haul airline venture, blending value for money fares with a quality inflight service offering. Hans Airways will offer two cabin classes: Economy (called "Anand Class"), with a 31-inch seat pitch and 274 seats, and Premium Economy (called "Anand Plus"), offering a 56" pitch and 24 seats. It will offer high quality complementary inflight entertainment and catering as standard.

A loyalty programme   is planned.  To be known as HAPEEI (Hans Airways Passengers Environment Education Initiative), it will reward passengers with all the regular benefits of a frequent flyer programme and with a strong emphasis on corporate social responsibility, create opportunities to donate to children’s educational charities in India or conservation and water preservation projects.

Hans Airways’ senior management has identified a high demand for regular secondary city air links between the UK and India, drawing on its founder’s considerable experience instigating a series of charter flights for Monarch Airlines and FlyJet.  

It intends to have a close working relationship with travel agencies and travel management companies.

Hans Airways submitted its UK AOC application in March 2020, following extensive discussions with the UK Civil Aviation Authority and Department for Transport.

Hans Airways’  management team (see   Board of Directors   and   Leadership Team  ) share an extensive experience of the commercial aviation industry and a deep understanding of the needs of its core focus market.  Financial support for the airline has come, inter alia, from the Indian community in the UK (see   Investor Relations ).

www.hansairways.com