Co-Founder

Title:
 Co-Founder – Aviation Operations & Regulatory (UDAN Airline Startup)

About the Venture:

We are building a next-generation regional airline under India's UDAN (Regional Connectivity Scheme), focused on connecting Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities through efficient, technology-enabled, high-utilisation aviation operations. This is a from-zero airline build involving DGCA certification, aircraft induction, UDAN route deployment, and full-scale operational readiness. We are seeking a seasoned aviation leader to join as Co-Founder to spearhead all operational and regulatory functions of the airline.

Role Overview:

As Co-Founder, you will own the complete operations, regulatory, and compliance foundation of the airline. You will lead the DGCA Air Operator Certificate (AOC) process end-to-end, build the operational organisation from ground up, manage aircraft selection and induction, oversee safety and airworthiness systems, and act as the principal regulatory signatory with DGCA, MoCA, BCAS, and AAI. This is an equity-first leadership position intended for a founder-level aviation professional who can build an airline from scratch and scale it sustainably.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the full DGCA AOC 5-stage certification process, including documentation, manual approval, audits, proving flights, and final licensing.
• Liaise directly with DGCA, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Airports Authority of India, and other regulators to ensure seamless compliance and approvals.
• Build and oversee airline operations including Flight Operations, Engineering & Maintenance (MRO/Maintenance Control), Safety Management System (SMS), Quality Assurance, Crew Training, Scheduling, OCC, and Ground Operations.
• Manage aircraft evaluation, leasing negotiations, induction scheduling, airworthiness compliance, and continuing maintenance oversight.
• Establish all mandatory operational manuals (Operations Manual, MEL, CAME, SMS, ERP, QA, SOPs).
• Build the core operational team: Chief of Flight Operations, Chief of Maintenance, Chief of Safety & Quality, Training Head, Crew Ops, Engineering teams, etc.
• Direct the setup of base airport operations, MRO partnerships, ground-handling contracts, fuel contracts, and pre-launch readiness.
• Contribute to route planning, UDAN bidding strategy, network deployment, and aircraft utilisation planning in partnership with the Founder.
• Represent the airline in board meetings, investor discussions, technical due diligence, and aircraft lessor negotiations.
• Drive a culture of operational discipline, cost efficiency, safety, and regulatory excellence from day one.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

• 5+ years of experience in airline operations, regulatory compliance, or flight operations leadership.
• Prior role as Accountable Manager, Director of Operations, Head of Flight Ops, or a DGCA-approved post holder in a scheduled or regional airline.
• Direct hands-on experience with DGCA AOC certification (mandatory).
• Deep familiarity with ATR 72/Q400 operations, airworthiness requirements, SMS frameworks, crew training, and regulatory audits.
• Strong grounding in operational discipline, cost control, and CAR compliance.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with appetite for ownership, risk, and long-term value creation.
• Comfortable working in a high-intensity build phase with minimal bureaucracy and maximum accountability.

What We Offer:

• Significant founding-level equity and board participation.
• Opportunity to co-create and scale India's next major regional airline.
• Freedom to architect the complete operational and regulatory structure.
• Long-term wealth creation linked to fleet growth, profitability, and expansion beyond UDAN markets.

Location:
 India (Base city will be finalised based on UDAN strategy and operational planning).

Compensation:
 Equity-first structure with performance-linked upside; fixed compensation can be structured post-certification and operational launch.