New airline could boost Indian charities

A new “socially responsible” low-cost airline that plans to give more than half its profits to charity may be in a position to launch this year with cheap flights from Stansted to India.

POP, which stands for People over Profit, wants to give passengers the chance to select “community causes” they wish to support when booking. It says it will share 51 per cent of its profits with charities in India and the UK. The airline is not yet in existence

but is ready to begin crowdfunding the £5million needed to start servicing its inaugural routes from Stansted to Amritsar and Ahmedabad. They would be the first non-stop services to both Indian cities from the UK.

Though billed as a low-cost airline, POP says it will still offer customers on its flights a generous 46kg hold baggage allowance, complimentary snacks and hot drinks, and seat selection – all perks for which passengers on the likes of easyJet and Ryanair pay extra. Fares have not been announced but POP aims to begin flying before the end of this year.