Zoomed-Out: Zooom Air Closes Bookings on Its Operational Route

It seems that Zexus Air Services AKA Zooom Air has zoomed out again. In January end, the airline restarted operations for the third time. And it seems that the launch has not gone the way it was expected to go. In this article, we will have a look at the history and latest update of Zooom Air.

Zoom Air to Zooom Air

Zexus Air Services was incorporated in 2013. In February 2017, the airline started operations with the brand name “Zoom Air”. It was using Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft. However, in 2018, owing to safety concerns, DGCA suspended the flying license of Zoom Air.

In 2019-end, the owners managed to renew the flying license and started operations for the second time. But then arrived the pandemic. All the flight operations were suspended. Zoom Air surrendered and suspended its operations. The four CRJ200s of Zoom Air were still parked at Delhi Airport.

Nobody was expecting the return of Zoom Air, but this is Indian aviation. Here, market dynamics change very quickly. During the Ayodhya Airport launch preparations, the Times of India reported that DGCA has renewed the Air Operator Certificate of Zoom Air. The airline altered its brand name from Zoom Air to Zooom Air. Its website domain was changed from “zoomair.in” to “zooom.aero”.

Relaunch Failed

The Air Operator Certificate (AOC) of Zooom Air is valid up to 3 September 2024. The airline reached out to DGCA to acquire slots to start operations. It requested slots to fly from Delhi and Lucknow to Ayodhya, using its CRJ200 fleet.

DGCA granted the required slots to Zooom Air, following which the airline started operations. On January 31, 2024, it relaunched services using a 50-seater CRJ200, registered as VT-ZOD. The airline operated the maiden flight between Delhi and Ayodhya.

Now, let us take a look at the passenger load factors of the airline in the preceding months. Passenger Load Factor (PLF) means the occupancy of the aircraft. In February, the airline had only 15.2% PLF, which further tanked to 5.5% in March. In April and May, the PLF was a joke. It was negligible with 0.6% and 0.3% respectively.

At present, four airlines, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Air India Express, and Akasa Air are successfully operating daily flights between Delhi and Ayodhya. This implies that the demand is there.

After this terrible occupancy rate, the airline has finally discontinued the bookings between Delhi and Ayodhya. Since this was its sole route, it means that the entire network has been deserted. According to its website, the airline was expecting to launch flights from Delhi to Amritsar and Chandigarh. It will be interesting to see whether

It will be interesting to see whether the airline will relaunch operations or not. And if yes, what route will it operate on?

Conclusion

Zoom Air, which started operations in 2017 changed its brand identity to Zooom Air in January 2024. The airline tried to launch for the third time but was unable to make it. It has stopped flight bookings on its sole Delhi to Ayodhya route, which it started in January end. Now, the only operational CRJ is lying idle at Delhi Airport.

What do you think about the operational takedown of Zooom Air? Discuss in the comment section.