Image from Fly91’s X account
Goa: India’s regional airline, FLY91, will begin operating two additional direct flights between Solapur to Mumbai and Goa starting December 23, 2024. This marks a major turning point in the airline’s efforts to strengthen linkages between smaller villages and major urban centers.
These routes have expanded FLY91’s service to nine locations in India. The airline, which has its headquarters in Goa, specializes in flying to underprivileged areas. In the next five years, FLY91, which now operates a fleet of 30 ATR 72-600 aircraft, intends to expand to 50 sites.
Fly91’s Managing Director, Manoj Chacko, expressed his enthusiasm for the new routes, saying, “We are pleased to announce these two new direct routes, which will greatly enhance connectivity for Solapur, a major textile hub, and offer a faster and more convenient travel option for residents and visitors alike. This development is an important component of our aim for improving regional connections and supporting the government’s initiative to connect smaller cities to major urban hubs. Fly91 continues committed to delivering dependable and accessible air transport to underserved areas.
The textile and industrial center of Solapur, which previously lacked direct flight connections to popular vacation spots like Mumbai and Goa, would greatly benefit from these new routes, which will also increase commerce and tourism. FLY91 aims to further India’s overall objective of better aviation infrastructure throughout the country while also making regional travel simpler and more accessible.
The airline’s fleet expansion and its aspirational plans to connect smaller cities show its commitment to provide efficient and eco-friendly regional air travel.
FLY91 already offers flights to a number of regional locations around India in addition to the new services to Solapur. Mumbai, Pune, Jalgaon, Sindhudurg, and Agatti in Lakshadweep are a few among them. Additionally, the airline offers service to Hyderabad and Bengaluru, broadening its regional reach and supporting the government’s UDAN plan, which attempts to provide connection to areas that are neglected.
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![Washington, United States: A United Airlines flight bound for Guatemala City made an emergency diversion to Washington Dulles International Airport after a passenger allegedly attempted to open a cabin door at cruising altitude and assaulted another traveler, according to air traffic control communications and federal authorities. The incident involved United Airlines Flight 1551, operated by a Boeing 737 MAX 8, which departed from Newark Liberty International Airport on Thursday evening carrying 145 passengers and six crew members. The aircraft had been en route to Guatemala City when the crew declared an emergency and diverted to Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia. According to audio between the flight crew and air traffic controllers, the pilot informed controllers that the disruptive passenger attempted to open Door 2L while the aircraft was cruising at approximately 36,000 feet. The pilot also reported that the passenger later assaulted another individual onboard. During the exchange, the tower asked the crew which door the passenger had attempted to access. The pilot responded: “Door 2L at 36,000 feet and then [the passenger] assaulted a fellow passenger.” When controllers asked whether there were any injuries onboard, the pilot replied: “Not to our knowledge.” The aircraft landed safely at Washington Dulles at approximately 8:38 p.m. local time. Law enforcement and emergency personnel met the aircraft upon arrival. The FBI later confirmed that agents responded to the incident at the airport, although the agency did not immediately release additional details regarding the passenger’s identity, possible charges, or whether the individual was taken into federal custody. Flight tracking data showed the aircraft remained airborne for a period before diverting toward the Washington region instead of continuing south toward Guatemala. The diversion temporarily disrupted the scheduled international service but no injuries among passengers or crew were officially reported. United Airlines had not issued a detailed public statement at the time of publication regarding the circumstances surrounding the diversion or the status of the passenger involved. Federal authorities are expected to review crew reports, passenger statements, and onboard evidence as part of the investigation.](https://aviationtoday.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AVIATION-TODAY-UNITEDV-AIRLINES-RUDE-PASSENGER-768x432.jpg)
![Washington, United States: A United Airlines flight bound for Guatemala City made an emergency diversion to Washington Dulles International Airport after a passenger allegedly attempted to open a cabin door at cruising altitude and assaulted another traveler, according to air traffic control communications and federal authorities. The incident involved United Airlines Flight 1551, operated by a Boeing 737 MAX 8, which departed from Newark Liberty International Airport on Thursday evening carrying 145 passengers and six crew members. The aircraft had been en route to Guatemala City when the crew declared an emergency and diverted to Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia. According to audio between the flight crew and air traffic controllers, the pilot informed controllers that the disruptive passenger attempted to open Door 2L while the aircraft was cruising at approximately 36,000 feet. The pilot also reported that the passenger later assaulted another individual onboard. During the exchange, the tower asked the crew which door the passenger had attempted to access. The pilot responded: “Door 2L at 36,000 feet and then [the passenger] assaulted a fellow passenger.” When controllers asked whether there were any injuries onboard, the pilot replied: “Not to our knowledge.” The aircraft landed safely at Washington Dulles at approximately 8:38 p.m. local time. Law enforcement and emergency personnel met the aircraft upon arrival. The FBI later confirmed that agents responded to the incident at the airport, although the agency did not immediately release additional details regarding the passenger’s identity, possible charges, or whether the individual was taken into federal custody. Flight tracking data showed the aircraft remained airborne for a period before diverting toward the Washington region instead of continuing south toward Guatemala. The diversion temporarily disrupted the scheduled international service but no injuries among passengers or crew were officially reported. United Airlines had not issued a detailed public statement at the time of publication regarding the circumstances surrounding the diversion or the status of the passenger involved. Federal authorities are expected to review crew reports, passenger statements, and onboard evidence as part of the investigation.](https://aviationtoday.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AVIATION-TODAY-UNITEDV-AIRLINES-RUDE-PASSENGER-300x169.jpg)
