BAE Systems Regional Aircraft has continued its penetration of the fast-growing air transport market in the Indian sub-continent with the lease of two Avro RJ70s to new Indian carrier MDLR Airlines.

Based in Delhi, the new airline has been formed by Mr Gopal Goyal, who is Chairman and Managing Director, in association with Dr Harsh Vadhan who is a veteran of the Indian air transport industry, having been in senior management with Air India, Chief Operating Officer of Vayudoot, and now for several years, a leading aviation consultant.

The first RJ70 (msn E1229) was delivered in late January and the second aircraft (msn E1230) will follow a month later. Both aircraft are configured in a two-class layout with eight business and 68 economy seats.

Scheduled operations are due to start on February 1st and will link Delhi with provincial capitals in the north and north east of India. Notable destinations to be served include Ranchi, Jaipur, Nagpur, Kulu, Jammu, Simla, Chandigar and the holy city of Varanasi.

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