British Indian peer Prashar joins Hans Airways board

HANS AIRWAYS, the newest long-haul airline preparing to launch flights connecting Birmingham to Amritsar in India’s Punjab later this year, has appointed British Asian peer Baroness Usha Prashar to its board.

Prashar is chair of the UK Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and also chair of Cumberland Lodge, an education charity.

Hans Airways’ CEO Satnam Saini said in a statement last week, “Baroness Prashar shares a keen interest in aviation and connecting people.

The business model Hans Airways is following as a true ‘community airline’ was a determining factor in her decision to accept our invitation to join our board.”

Hans Airways said it planned an initial four times weekly service from Birmingham to Amritsar. It aims to cater to a demand among Britain’s Punjabi origin population to fly direct to the city.

Earlier in August, it celebrated the arrival of its first Airbus A330-200 in the UK. The aircraft touched down from Palma Airport in Mallorca, Spain, at Birmingham International Airport for a formal technical handover and technical acceptance signing with the lessor.

The airline applied for its UK Air Operator Certificate in March 2020 following discussions with the UK Civil Aviation Authority and Department for Transport.

Prashar said, “I am delighted to join Hans Airways’ Board and feel privileged to be part of this community airline. I am impressed with its vision and planning and hope to make a meaningful contribution to its success.”