Ventura AirConnect is an Indian nonscheduled airline operating flights in the state of Gujarat with Cessna 208 Caravan aircraft in its fleet. Initially operating flights within Madhya Pradesh, the airline shifted to Gujarat upon being acquired by a group of Gujarati diamond merchants in 2014. After suspending operations several times, it resumed its operations in January 2022 and made Surat International Airport its operating hub.
Operation history Madhya Pradesh operations (2010–13) Ventura AirConnect was founded in 2010 as the first intrastate non-scheduled airline in India, providing air charter services within Madhya Pradesh. The airline was designed to connect the capital Bhopal with smaller cities throughout the state, as well as to facilitate tourism within Madhya Pradesh."Ventura Airconnect Launches Intrastate GA Flights in India". AIN Online. 2 February 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2016.Bari, Pervez (3 September 2011). "MP becomes first state to offer air taxi services". Ummid.com. Retrieved 18 January 2016. Under an agreement signed between the state government and the airline, the state government partly subsidized Ventura AirConnect's flights.
Ventura AirConnect conducted its inaugural flight on 7 September 2011, between Bhopal and Gwalior. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. By mid-2013, Ventura AirConnect was serving nine cities in the state.Poovanna, Sharan and Saha, Samiran (16 June 2013). "Civil aviation sings a 'short is sweet' song". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 18 January 2016. In early 2017, the Madhya Pradesh operations were taken over by Fly Divine.
Gujarat operations (2014–present) In late 2014, Ventura AirConnect was acquired by Diamond Aeronautics, a consortium of Gujarati diamond merchants, for approximately .Vora, Rutam (14 July 2015). "Like a diamond in the sky". The Hindu Business Line. Retrieved 18 January 2016. Diamond Aeronautics had complained of limited air service from Surat, a major centre of the local diamond industry. With the purchase, the focus of Ventura AirConnect turned to improve air connectivity within Gujarat."Diamond clique acquires India's Ventura AirConnect". Ch-aviation. 23 October 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2016. The new venture commenced operations on 13 December 2014 with a flight from Surat to Bhavnagar."India's Ventura AirConnect begins Gujarat taxi service flights". Ch-aviation. 17 December 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2016.Melvyn, Thomas (13 December 2014). "Inter-city flight services launched from Surat". Times of India. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
The airline suspended operations in late 2015. There was a change in ownership, requiring security clearance from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). In April 2016, Ventura AirConnect won a tender from the Government of Gujarat to operate subsidised flights within the state. The airline's air operator's certificate was renewed on 9 June and it resumed operations on 25 June with a flight from Surat to Bhavnagar. It was suspended again. It relaunched for the third time in January 2018 and suspended services after a few months. The services resumed for the fourth time in January 2022.
The promoters include two diamond merchants and a realtor.
Destinations As of January 2022, Ventura AirConnect flies to the following destinations, all within the Indian state of Gujarat:
+ City AirportFlight time from Surat Notes AhmedabadSardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport60 minAmreliAmreli Airport45 minBhavnagarBhavnagar Airport30 minRajkotRajkot International Airport60 minSuratSurat International Airport
Fleet As of , Ventura AirConnect operates the following aircraft:
+ Ventura AirConnect fleet Aircraft In service Orders Passengers NotesCessna 208 Caravan39Cessna 182 Skylane14Total4
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