Blocked From Flying Passengers, Budget Startup Flypop Turns to Cargo

Tired of waiting to get passenger service off the ground during the pandemic, startup low-cost carrier Flypop has decided to switch gears and debut as a cargo airline.

Eric Kulisch

Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at 11:54 AM ET

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Flypop can’t get airborne as a passenger airline serving India, so it is temporarily turning to full-time cargo work to start generating some revenue. Credit: Flypop

Key Takeaways:

Startup low-cost carrier Flypop has temporarily switched from its planned passenger service to cargo operations due to pandemic-related delays and flight restrictions to India.
The airline is utilizing its first Airbus A330, with seats removed, for cargo-only flights, including a recent humanitarian mission to Iqaluit, Canada.
This six-month interim strategy aims to meet global cargo demand until government restrictions on UK-India passenger flights are eased, allowing Flypop to launch its intended service to secondary Indian cities.

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Tired of waiting to get passenger service off the ground during the pandemic, startup low-cost carrier Flypop has decided to switch gears and debut as a cargo airline.

The U.K.-based airline said last week that it has redeployed its first Airbus A330 for dedicated cargo operations as a passenger freighter with its seats removed. The cargo-only flights are being operated for flypop by air charter specialist Hi Fly under its Malta operating certificate.