ModiLuft
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Airline |
| Founded | April 1993 |
| Founder | S. K. Modi |
| Defunct | 1996 |
| Fate | Ceased operations; ownership changed and rebranded as Royal Airways (never commenced operations) |
| Headquarters | Delhi , India |
Area served | Domestic India |
Key people | Kanwar K. S. Jamwal (General Manager Projects), Capt. R L. Kapur (Managing Director) |
| Products | Passenger air transport (First, Business, Economy class) |
| Parent | Modi Enterprises (implied by category) |
ModiLuft was a Delhi-based private carrier in India that operated domestic flights until it ceased operations in 1996. With backing from Lufthansa, the airline maintained rigorous standards in safety, aircraft upkeep, and schedule reliability. ModiLuft distinguished itself by providing First, Business, and Economy class services on domestic routes, utilizing leased Boeing 737-200 jets from Lufthansa, and sustained a flawless safety record throughout its tenure.
History
Founded in April 1993 by industrialist S. K. Modi in collaboration with Lufthansa, ModiLuft was among the pioneering private airlines to emerge in India following deregulation. Lufthansa contributed by supplying pilots and training programs for Indian personnel, while Lufthansa Technik managed maintenance and spare parts logistics. Operations began swiftly, with the first flight on the New Delhi–Mumbai sector taking off on 5 May 1993. The management team featured Kanwar K. S. Jamwal as General Manager Projects and Capt. R L. Kapur as Managing Director. Cabin crew underwent training at Lufthansa’s Frankfurt center. ModiLuft achieved an impressive aircraft utilization rate averaging over 12 hours daily and recorded a customer satisfaction score of 98.8% for on-time departures.
The alliance between ModiLuft and Lufthansa ended amid disagreements related to financial support and lease payments; Lufthansa claimed ModiLuft defaulted on lease agreements, whereas Modi accused Lufthansa of not fulfilling funding promises. Conflicts intensified in mid-1996 when Modi sought to have Lufthansa acquire up to a 40% ownership stake. In May 1996, Lufthansa terminated the partnership and withdrew its leased aircraft from ModiLuft’s fleet. Subsequently, ModiLuft operated Boeing 737-400 planes leased from Air UK, but ultimately discontinued service within the same year.
Following an out-of-court settlement by September 1997, ModiLuft returned Lufthansa’s aircraft. Due to financial difficulties, ownership changed hands and the airline was rebranded as Royal Airways; however, this entity never commenced operations. The original Air operator's certificate (AOC) held by ModiLuft remained active and was later utilized by promoters to launch the Low-cost carrier SpiceJet.
Destinations
India
- Delhi (Indira Gandhi International Airport), primary hub
- Jammu (Jammu Airport)
- Leh (Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport)
- Srinagar (Srinagar Airport)
- Mumbai (Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport)
- Bengaluru (HAL Bangalore International Airport)
- Hyderabad (Begumpet Airport)