From Small Towns to the Sky: Ek Bharat Airlines Set to Soar in 2028

By Aviation Desk BANGALORE – In a move that promises to redraw the aviation map of India, the Ek Bharat Abyyan Foundation has officially unveiled its most ambitious project to date: Ek Bharat Airlines. Scheduled for a commercial launch in 2028, the airline is not merely a business venture but a social mission aimed at democratizing the Indian skies. Founded by visionaries Dr. Joyappa Achaiah and Jaswanth Prasath, the airline seeks to bridge the widening gap between India’s booming metropolises and its underserved Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. With its headquarters established in the tech-capital of Bangalore, Ek Bharat Airlines is positioning itself as the "wings of the common man," aiming to take the vision from the "Small Town to the Sky." The Right Time for the Right Mission The timing of this launch is no coincidence. Recent aviation statistics paint a compelling picture of a nation in desperate need of more players in the sky. Industry analysts and global aerospace leaders like Boeing and Airbus suggest that to keep pace with the 8.9% annual growth in passenger traffic, India requires at least five new airlines within the next decade. "The data is clear: India’s sky is vast, but it is currently under-served," says Dr. Joyappa Achaiah. "Earlier, there were many hurdles—from complex regulatory bottlenecks to fuel taxations and infrastructure gaps. But today, with the government’s focus on the UDAN scheme and the rapid construction of new regional airports, those hurdles have significantly lowered. This is the right time to enter the aviation transport sector, and we are making full use of it." By 2028, India is expected to have over 200 operational airports, up from 163 today. Ek Bharat Airlines aims to be the primary carrier for these new gateways, ensuring that connectivity isn't just a promise on paper but a scheduled flight on a tarmac. A Foundation of Unity The Ek Bharat Abyyan Foundation is already a household name for its "Ek Bharat Abyyan" campaign, which focused on the devotional value of the National Anthem to foster national unity. It is this same spirit of "Unity in Diversity" that fuels their latest foray into the aerospace sector. Co-founder Jaswanth Prasath emphasizes that the airline is an extension of this cultural mission. "Our foundation has always been about bringing Indians closer together. What better way to do that than by physically connecting the weaver in Dharmavaram to the entrepreneur in Tumakuru? We are moving from a campaign of the heart to a campaign of the clouds." Strategic Hub: Why Bangalore? Choosing Bangalore as the headquarters was a tactical decision. As the Silicon Valley of Asia, Bangalore offers an unparalleled ecosystem of aviation technology, maintenance talent, and digital infrastructure. The headquarters will serve as the nerve center for a "Hub-and-Spoke" model that prioritizes regional routes over congested metro-to-metro corridors. The 2028 roadmap includes: ● 2026-2027: Infrastructure setup and recruitment of a "New-Age" workforce. ● Early 2028: Proving flights across the first 15 identified Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. ● Late 2028: Official commercial takeoff. A Call for Nationwide Partnership Unlike traditional corporate carriers, Ek Bharat Airlines is looking for a more inclusive growth model. The founders have issued a clarion call for partnerships across the nation. "We want to partner with people across the nation for this venture," says Jaswanth Prasath. "Whether it is local hospitality groups in smaller cities, logistics providers, or regional investors who understand the pulse of their towns—this is a 'People’s Airline.' We are looking for collaborators who share our 'Small Town to Sky' philosophy to help build the ground support and service excellence that India deserves." Economic and Social Impact Improved connectivity is a proven catalyst for economic growth. By focusing on Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, Ek Bharat Airlines expects to: Boost Local Trade: Allowing perishable local goods to reach national markets in hours. Enable Medical Access: Facilitating "Emergency Air Corridors" for patients in remote areas. Drive Tourism: Opening up "Hidden Gem" destinations that are currently accessible only by long road or rail journeys. The Flight Path Ahead As the industry prepares for the next decade of growth, Ek Bharat Airlines stands out as a unique hybrid of social vision and business pragmatism. Dr. Achaiah and Mr. Prasath are betting on the fact that the next 100 million flyers will not come from Delhi or Mumbai, but from the towns whose names are not yet on the flight boards. "We have waited for the right moment," Dr. Achaiah concludes. "The policy is ready, the infrastructure is rising, and the Indian dream is soaring. In 2028, when our first flight takes off, it won't just be an airplane; i

JR Choudhary

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 02:24 PM (IST)

By Aviation Desk BANGALORE – In a move that promises to redraw the aviation map of India, the Ek Bharat Abyyan Foundation has officially unveiled its most ambitious project to date: Ek Bharat Airlines. Scheduled for a commercial launch in 2028, the airline is not merely a business venture but a social mission aimed at democratizing the Indian skies.

Founded by visionaries Dr. Joyappa Achaiah and Jaswanth Prasath, the airline seeks to bridge the widening gap between India’s booming metropolises and its underserved Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. With its headquarters established in the tech-capital of Bangalore, Ek Bharat Airlines is positioning itself as the "wings of the common man," aiming to take the vision from the "Small Town to the Sky."

The Right Time for the Right Mission

The timing of this launch is no coincidence. Recent aviation statistics paint a compelling picture of a nation in desperate need of more players in the sky. Industry analysts and global aerospace leaders like Boeing and Airbus suggest that to keep pace with the 8.9% annual growth in passenger traffic, India requires at least five new airlines within the next decade.

"The data is clear: India’s sky is vast, but it is currently under-served," says Dr. Joyappa Achaiah. "Earlier, there were many hurdles—from complex regulatory bottlenecks to fuel taxations and infrastructure gaps. But today, with the government’s focus on the UDAN scheme and the rapid construction of new regional airports, those hurdles have significantly lowered. This is the right time to enter the aviation transport sector, and we are making full use of it."

By 2028, India is expected to have over 200 operational airports, up from 163 today. Ek Bharat Airlines aims to be the primary carrier for these new gateways, ensuring that connectivity isn't just a promise on paper but a scheduled flight on a tarmac.

A Foundation of Unity

The Ek Bharat Abyyan Foundation is already a household name for its "Ek Bharat Abyyan" campaign, which focused on the devotional value of the National Anthem to foster national unity. It is this same spirit of "Unity in Diversity" that fuels their latest foray into the aerospace sector.

Co-founder Jaswanth Prasath emphasizes that the airline is an extension of this cultural mission. "Our foundation has always been about bringing Indians closer together. What better way to do that than by physically connecting the weaver in Dharmavaram to the entrepreneur in Tumakuru? We are moving from a campaign of the heart to a campaign of the clouds."

Strategic Hub: Why Bangalore?

Choosing Bangalore as the headquarters was a tactical decision. As the Silicon Valley of Asia, Bangalore offers an unparalleled ecosystem of aviation technology, maintenance talent, and digital infrastructure. The headquarters will serve as the nerve center for a "Hub-and-Spoke" model that prioritizes regional routes over congested metro-to-metro corridors.

The 2028 roadmap includes:

● 2026-2027: Infrastructure setup and recruitment of a "New-Age" workforce.

● Early 2028: Proving flights across the first 15 identified Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

● Late 2028: Official commercial takeoff.

A Call for Nationwide Partnership

Unlike traditional corporate carriers, Ek Bharat Airlines is looking for a more inclusive growth model. The founders have issued a clarion call for partnerships across the nation.

"We want to partner with people across the nation for this venture," says Jaswanth Prasath. "Whether it is local hospitality groups in smaller cities, logistics providers, or regional investors who understand the pulse of their towns—this is a 'People’s Airline.' We are looking for collaborators who share our 'Small Town to Sky' philosophy to help build the ground support and service excellence that India deserves."

Economic and Social Impact

Improved connectivity is a proven catalyst for economic growth. By focusing on Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, Ek Bharat Airlines expects to:

Boost Local Trade: Allowing perishable local goods to reach national markets in hours.

Enable Medical Access: Facilitating "Emergency Air Corridors" for patients in remote areas.

Drive Tourism: Opening up "Hidden Gem" destinations that are currently accessible only by long road or rail journeys.

The Flight Path Ahead

As the industry prepares for the next decade of growth, Ek Bharat Airlines stands out as a unique hybrid of social vision and business pragmatism. Dr. Achaiah and Mr. Prasath are betting on the fact that the next 100 million flyers will not come from Delhi or Mumbai, but from the towns whose names are not yet on the flight boards.

"We have waited for the right moment," Dr. Achaiah concludes. "The policy is ready, the infrastructure is rising, and the Indian dream is soaring. In 2028, when our first flight takes off, it won't just be an airplane; it will be the realization of a united India taking to the sky."