Archive · 7 Nov 2025
Lessors Request Deregistration of All Three FlyBig Aircraft
Imagine a company that owns special planes and lets another company, called FlyBig, use them to fly people around.
The owner company sent a special legal paper to the Indian flying police (the DGCA).
This paper says, 'If FlyBig doesn't pay us for using our planes, please take them back.'
FlyBig has only three small planes and hasn't been flying many people, making it hard for them to pay.
The paper helps the owner get their planes back quickly if FlyBig can't pay.
India recently made a new rule to make it easier for owners to get their planes back from companies that don't pay, which is good for businesses that lend planes.
This might mean fewer flights to smaller towns and shows it's tough to run a small airline in India.
Japanese lessor AER, LLC has filed an IDERA request with the DGCA to deregister all three of FlyBig's DHC6 Twin Otter aircraft.
The IDERA request is a legal mechanism under the Cape Town Convention for lessors to repossess aircraft in case of lessee default.
India's recent passage of the Protection of Interests in Aircraft Objects Bill, 2025, aligns local laws with the Convention, simplifying repossession.
FlyBig has faced significant operational challenges, including drastically reduced flight approvals and very low passenger load factors, suggesting financial difficulties.
The deregistration could impact regional connectivity, removing operational airports like Rewa, Ambikapur, and Datia from the active map.
- Who
- Japanese lessor AER, LLC and the Indian aviation regulator DGCA, concerning regional airline FlyBig.
- What
- AER, LLC has requested the DGCA to deregister all three of FlyBig's aircraft through an IDERA notice.
- When
- The DGCA posted the notices on its website on November 6, 2025, and the aircraft last operated in late October 2025.
- Where
- India
- Why
- The lessor is exercising its right under the Cape Town Convention, facilitated by India's aligned laws, likely due to FlyBig's alleged default on lease payments or loan obligations, stemming from the airline's operational and financial challenges.
Lessor's Action
Airline's Situation
Aircraft Deregistration Request
Lessor's Action
AER, LLC has submitted an Irrevocable Deregistration and Export Request Authorization (IDERA) to the DGCA for all three of FlyBig's aircraft.
Airline's Situation
FlyBig has experienced a significant reduction in approved weekly departures and has faced challenges operating its fleet, potentially leading to financial difficulties.
Legal Framework for Repossession
Lessor's Action
The IDERA request is a legal mechanism under the Cape Town Convention, simplified by India's recent enactment of the Protection of Interests in Aircraft Objects Bill, 2025, to allow lessors to repossess aircraft upon lessee default.
Airline's Situation
FlyBig's operational history shows a pattern of shifting bases and aircraft types without establishing a strong presence, with very low passenger loads and load factors, even with viability gap funding.
Impact on Regional Aviation
Lessor's Action
The deregistration could lead to fewer operational airports in India, particularly for smaller regional routes like Rewa, Ambikapur, and Datia.
Airline's Situation
The situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by regional airlines in India, with FlyBig potentially becoming another casualty after previous failures like Paramount and Air Costa.
- Lessor
- AER, LLC
- Regulator
- Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
- Airline
- FlyBig
- Aircraft Type
- DHC6 (Twin Otter)
- Number of Aircraft
- 3
- Last Flight Operations (approx.)
- October 24-26, 2025
- Cape Town Convention Alignment
- India ratified via Protection of Interests in Aircraft Objects Bill, 2025 (Presidential assent April 2025)