Embarking on an exciting journey into the air cargo industry 26 years ago, FitsAir has evolved into a full-fledged commercial airline, seamlessly. The airline now operates passenger flights to several destinations, including India and the GCC.
FitsAir is planning to enhance its business over the next 24 months, with three new destinations being added into its network in the next 12 months.
“Our strategic plan for this year is to establish a strong regional network, which includes enhancing our connectivity within India and breaking into new markets in south and south-east Asia,” Ammar Kassim, Director of FITS Aviation, a unit of Aberdeen Holdings, a Sri Lankan conglomerate, tells Business Plus.
Excerpts from the interview:
FitsAir embarked on its journey in the air cargo industry 26 years ago and since then has evolved into a full-fledged commercial airline. How would you describe this transformative journey?
Our journey has been both rewarding and challenging, which is testament to our resilience and innovation. Being part of the highly regulated and fiercely competitive airline industry, we have strived to balance cost-effectiveness with innovation. Our focus has been on maintaining a competitive cost structure, while consistently elevating our product offerings.
Currently, FitsAir operates daily flights to the UAE, India and the Maldives. Could you share your expansion plans for this year?
Our strategic plan for this year is to establish a strong regional network, which includes enhancing our connectivity within India and breaking into new markets in south and southeast Asia.
The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on many airlines. How did FitsAir fare during this period, and what strategies did you employ to navigate the challenges?
Like all airlines, we too faced significant challenges during the pandemic. However, we quickly adopted a strategic approach, focusing on the air freight market early on. Coupled with our temporary Passenger-to-Freighter (P2F) conversion of the Airbus A320, we were able to provide charter services to our customers. This focus on identifying and seizing opportunities instilled a sense of optimism within our organisation.
How do you envision the future of FitsAir and what are your growth plans? Also, considering your charter services, how do you see the future of charter flights?
Our vision for FitsAir is to become a leading regional low-cost airline, primarily focusing on point-to-point connectivity. Given that we operate in one of the most densely populated regions of the world, we believe this presents us with a unique advantage which we aim to leverage. Our growth strategy for the next 24 months revolves around network expansion and product consolidation. As for charter services, they have been a cornerstone of our business for many years. We expect this sector to continue evolving as customer service expectations rise. To meet this demand, we have dedicated charter desks and comprehensive internal trip support services.
The Middle East’s aviation market is projected to record a compound annual growth rate of over 6% from 2022 to 2027, suggesting a continued rise in regional passenger numbers. How do you perceive this growth in relation to FitsAir’s Middle East expansion?
The increasing demand for air travel within and beyond the Middle East creates a favourable environment for FitsAir. The Middle East market is a key tourist segment for Sri Lanka tourism and efforts are under way to grow this segment. And, as the demand for travel to Sri Lanka continues to grow, our ambition is to position FitsAir as the go-to low-cost airline for tourists seeking affordable and convenient travel options. Additionally, there is a very large south Asian expatriate population in this region and our plans include adding three new destinations over the next 12 months period, strategically positioning us to tap into this specific segment. To leverage this growth effectively, we will heavily focus on affordability, service quality and a seamless travel experience, together with convenient flight schedules. These attributes will help us differentiate ourselves and to become a preferred airline. Decarbonisation of the aviation industry is a key focus, especially in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Europe. Do you think achieving net-zero emissions in aviation is feasible?
Achieving net-zero emissions in the aviation industry is certainly an ambitious goal, but one that is increasingly necessary given the global urgency to combat climate change. While there are significant technical and economic challenges involved, I believe that with collective effort, innovation and commitment, it is feasible. Implementing sustainable aviation fuels, improving energy efficiency and exploring carbon offsetting strategies are some of the ways we can work towards this goal. The pathway to net-zero aviation will require global cooperation and significant investment, but the long-term environmental and economic benefits make it a worthwhile endeavour.
