East-West Airlines (India)

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East-West Airlines was one of the very first Indian private airlines that serviced the commercial sector.

[edit] History

It began operations in early 1992, when the Indian Government opened up the industry to its "open skies policy" that gave rise to numerous private airlines that serviced India. The airline was founded and run by the Wahid family who were based in Bahrain. The airline was run extremely successfully and was a big draw among domestic flyers in India. Upon conducting their IPO in 1994, East West raised 552 billion rupees by issuing 40% of their stock. However, after the assassination of its Managing Director, Thakiyudeen Wahid, in 1995 the airline experienced tough times and eventually folded due a number of reasons including functional problems and a leadership vacuum. At its peak, East West was the premier private sector airline in India. The airline also operated fully functional offices in Bombay, New Delhi, Chennai and Dubai.

As recently as 2005, there have been reports that the airline might take to the skies again in a move orchestrated by East-West Chairman Nasiruddin Wahid and his brother Faisal Wahid who sat on the Board of Directors of East-West Airlines. Faisal Wahid has been quoted as saying that the airline is waiting for clearance from the Indian Government and is thinking of entering the market as a low-cost airline. East-West Group Chairman, Nasiruddin Wahid has said that the Wahid family, friends, associates and investors were putting together a $4 billion re-launch will be spread out over a period of 5 years.

[edit] Fleet

East West had a total fleet of 11 aircraft, these included:

8 Boeing B737 (VT-EWA,EWB,EWC,EWD,EWF,EWH,EWI,EWJ)
3 Fokker F27 (VT-EWE,EWG,EWK)

	Airlines of India
	Air Deccan • Air India • Air-India Express • Air Sahara • Alliance Air • Archana Airways • Blue Dart Aviation • Club One Air • Crescent Air • Deccan Aviation • East-West Airlines • Go Air • Indian • IndiGo Airlines • Indus Airways • Jagson Airlines • Jet Airways • Kingfisher Airlines • Paramount Airways • SpiceJet • Visa Airways