Indian state-owned aerospace and defence company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has introduced a 19-seater aircraft. It is the first major attempt to develop a small civil transport aircraft in India. The new aircraft can be operated even in semi-prepared and unpaved airstrips.
All the testing parameters have been completed and the aircraft will be inducted into the Indian fleet from next year.
Roy said that there is a huge potential for small civil transport aircraft in the market as they are designed for short-haul travel and can operate on a semi-prepared runway. The multi-utility aircraft can be used as an ambulance, cargo, and parajam or paradrop, among others.
The aircraft has no toilet and its seating capacity will be reduced to 17, if a toilet is added to it.
