It seems the low-cost, long-haul ambitions of Hans Airways have been cut short, as the airline’s one and only Airbus A330 is in the process of being deregistered. Data from the UK’s CAA shows that deregistration was opened on February 3rd, with a review date set for February 24th.

Hans Airways aircraft deregistration
Data: UK CAA

The aircraft, registered G-KJAS – a nod to one of the airline’s principal early investors, Kirpal Singh Jass - arrived with Hans in August last year. It had been used for early proving flights in September, and hopes were high that its launch route, from Birmingham to Amritsar, would go on sale as soon as October.

However, according to FlightRadar24.com, since September 2022, the aircraft has only flown once, and then only a brief circular route from Birmingham to Birmingham with a flight time of just 19 minutes. That was on November 28th, and it has not flown since. Now, it seems the aircraft will return to the lessor, and the dreams of Hans Airways will not be fulfilled.

What happened to Hans?

Hans Airways had a vision of providing low-cost services from Birmingham in the UK to Amritsar and other underserved direct routes to India. With a large Punjabi diaspora in the region, Hans saw an opportunity to cater to those who would otherwise have to take connecting flights or long trips by road to get home from the UK.

Simple Flying analysis showed that 92,000 roundtrip passengers flew indirectly to Amritsar from Birmingham in 2019, with other destinations in India also a strong possibility for direct services. That’s without taking into account those who traveled to London for their flights.

Hans Airways proving flight
Photo: Hans Airways

Having announced and set up the airline in 2019, Hans Airways aimed to use the affordable-to-lease Airbus A330ceo on its routes, and hoped to have its AOC secured by the end of 2021. But 2021 came and went, and no AOC materialized. As time went on, the airline’s funds began to run dry, with the company seeking restructuring and new investment last November, which it claimed to have secured successfully.

Deregistering G-KJAS

The single A330 that Hans had secured to launch its flights is currently in the process of being deregistered. When an aircraft is deregistered, it means the current owner no longer wants or is capable of possession of that aircraft. It signifies the process of the aircraft moving to a new owner, either inside or outside the UK. According to Practical Law, this also means that the aircraft will no longer be able to fly for Hans, as it says,

Following deregistration, any certificate of airworthiness or permit to fly in force concerning the aircraft will be automatically suspended and revoked. Once an aircraft is removed from the CAA Register of Civil Aircraft, it can no longer fly while displaying its UK nationality and registration marks.

Hans Airways cockpit
Photo: Hans Airways

The A330 is on lease from Carlyle Aviation Partners, a US-based leasing firm with a portfolio of almost 300 airplanes. G-KJAS could be transferred to a US registration and sent back to the states, or it could immediately go to another leasing customer, should one be lined up already.

Although Hans is yet to officially declare itself out of business, things don’t look too good for the UK startup. It’s had a lot to contend with, from the pandemic impacts to rising fuel costs and general economic depression. Simple Flying has reached out to Hans for an update on the situation and will add to this article as and when a response is received.

Source: Practical Law