Regional aviation in India is experiencing a major transformation, driving tourism accessibility to emerging destinations across tier-II and tier-III cities. In a strategic effort to solidify its market presence and support its network expansion, Goa-headquartered regional carrier FLY91 has announced key additions to its executive leadership team. The airline has appointed aviation industry veterans Krishnan Balakrishnan as President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Jitendra Kushwah as Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
These high-level appointments mark a pivotal chapter for the airline as it prepares to enter its next phase of operational scaling, fleet enhancement, and route consolidation. Operating under its core strategy, “Connecting Bharat,” FLY91 aims to deepen air access between tier-II and tier-III urban centers and primary economic and cultural hubs across southern and western India.
Senior Aviation Veterans Join Core Executive Team
The newly appointed executives bring more than six decades of combined aviation, financial management, and operational leadership experience to FLY91. Reporting directly to Founder, Managing Director, and Chief Executive Officer Manoj Chacko, both Balakrishnan and Kushwah will serve as integral members of the airline’s leadership council.
Krishnan Balakrishnan joins the carrier with over 30 years of global aviation expertise, covering airline strategy, operational scaling, and financial planning. Prior to this role, he spent eight years as Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Kuwait-based Jazeera Airways, steering the carrier through substantial network and fleet growth. His extensive career also includes leadership roles as Chief Financial Officer at GoAir, alongside senior executive positions at Jet Airways and Canada-based Transwest Helicopters. In his position as President and COO at FLY91, Balakrishnan will oversee day-to-day airline operations, drive organizational efficiency, and manage strategic relationships with aircraft manufacturers and international trade partners.
Complementing this operational leadership, Jitendra Kushwah brings over three decades of experience in corporate finance, governance, and long-term financial strategy. Kushwah was previously part of the founding executive team at the Flight Simulation Technique Centre (FSTC), where he served as Chief Financial and Operating Officer. His corporate background encompasses leadership roles at SpiceJet, IndiGo, and The Oberoi Group. As CFO, Kushwah will direct financial planning, administrative functions, and procurement strategies to bolster fiscal governance as the airline expands its fleet footprint.
Boosting Regional Tourism and Strategic Route Networks
The timing of these leadership appointments coincides with rapid growth for FLY91 since launching commercial flights in 2024. The airline currently connects 12 key destinations across southern and western India, operating over 280 scheduled weekly flights. Utilizing a fleet of ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft, FLY91 has focused on establishing direct air links that cater to tourists, business travelers, and local communities.
By basing its main operational hub at Goa’s Manohar International Airport in Mopa, FLY91 plays a vital role in encouraging tourist entry into western India. The airline’s current network includes prominent tourist, cultural, and commerce destinations such as Agatti in Lakshadweep, Kochi in Kerala, Hubballi and Bengaluru in Karnataka, Hyderabad in Telangana, and Vijayawada and Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh. Additionally, the carrier serves key regional destinations in Maharashtra, including Sindhudurg, Jalgaon, Solapur, and Pune.
Direct flights to coastal destinations like Sindhudurg and island ecosystems like Agatti have helped reduce travel times significantly, unlocking non-traditional tourist corridors. By bypassing congested metro hubs, regional air links encourage weekend trips, pilgrimage travel, and leisure tourism to previously hard-to-reach locations.
Aligning with India’s UDAN Scheme and Sustainable Travel Expansion
FLY91’s expansion strategy closely aligns with the Government of India’s flagship UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) regional connectivity scheme. Introduced by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, UDAN aims to make air travel affordable and accessible to citizens in unserved and underserved regions, stimulating economic activity and local tourism infrastructure.
The growth of regional air infrastructure serves as an economic catalyst for regional hospitality sectors, boutique resorts, heritage sites, and local artisans. Improved regional air connectivity enables domestic and international tourists to construct multi-destination travel itineraries across regional circuits.
As competition across the regional aviation landscape heats up, industry observers note that long-term viability relies on disciplined network planning, fleet reliability, and experienced administrative guidance. FLY91’s strategic focus on experienced leadership positions the airline to capitalize on rising domestic travel demand, supporting India’s broader vision of becoming a global tourism power center. With strengthened executive direction, FLY91 aims to maintain high operational standards while expanding its footprint to connect more unserved communities across the country.
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