Two HAL Dornier-228 Aircraft to Aid Air Connectivity in Arunachal

BENGALURU: Defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Sunday said it has signed a lease agreement with Alliance Air Aviation Limited for the supply of two made-in-India civil Dornier-228 (Do-228) aircraft for regional operations in Arunachal Pradesh.
“India’s regional connectivity scheme (RCS) received a major boost today with this agreement,” HAL said.

The Do- 228 is a versatile aircraft well-suited for operations in the northeast and has the capabilities of short take-off and landing, ability to land and take-off from semi-prepared runways, HAL said, adding that it was keen to increase its footprint in the regional civil aviation by engaging more numbers of Do-228 by air operators of the country.

Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu was quoted as having said that the agreement would make connectivity easier in a vast state with geographical challenges.

“HAL’s transport aircraft division, Kanpur has been in the business of transport and trainer aircraft for defence customers. The division has ventured into the manufacturing of Hindustan-228 aircraft — a 19-seat multirole utility aircraft built for various applications,” HAL said.
It can be used for VIP transport, passenger transport, air ambulance, flight inspection roles, cloud seeding, and recreational activities like para jumping, aerial surveillance, photography and cargo applications, the PSU said.

Source: ToI