Kodagu Entrepreneur Joyappa Achaiah Aims to Make Air Travel Affordable for All Indians

Graphic representation of a proposed Ek Bharat Airline aircraft. Inset: Joyappa Achaiah, founder and chairman of Ek Bharat Airline. Photo by: Joyappa Achaiah

Bengaluru: Joyappa Achaiah, a native of Kodagu district and founder and chairman of Ek Bharat Airline, is working towards an ambitious vision to make air travel affordable and accessible to people across India, particularly those living in smaller towns and cities.

Originally from Hysodlur village near Hudiker in Kodagu, Achaiah says his roots and upbringing in the region have played a key role in shaping his values and outlook. He belongs to the Hottengada family (okka).

“My background and heritage have always kept me grounded,” he said. “It has shaped my identity and strengthened my connection to Kodagu and its values.”

Mr. Achaiah spent his childhood moving across different parts of India as his father served in the Indian Army. Growing up in multiple cities exposed him to diverse cultures and perspectives from an early age.

“Because of my father’s service in the Army, I studied in several cities across the country,” he said. “That experience helped me adapt quickly, understand different cultures, and develop a deep sense of national unity.”

He later pursued higher education in business and completed his MBA. In recognition of his international campaigns, particularly the Barefoot Global and Barefoot India initiatives under the United Nations in Malaysia, he was also awarded a PhD, presented by the President of Malaysia.

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Despite not coming from a formal aviation background, Achaiah believes that strong ideas and commitment can drive innovation in any sector. “Sometimes great journeys begin not just with expertise, but with belief, commitment, and the courage to pursue a dream,” he said.

Even while managing professional commitments, Mr. Achaiah maintains close ties with his hometown. He divides his time between Kodagu and Bengaluru and also manages his family’s coffee estate along with his mother.

The estate, named Green Gold Estate, reflects the importance of coffee cultivation in Kodagu. “Coffee is often referred to as ‘green gold’, and our estate carries that inspiration,” he said.

Growing up in a close-knit family environment with his parents and grandparents, he says discipline, integrity and a sense of service were deeply instilled in him.

Graphic representation of a proposed Ek Bharat Airline aircraft. Photo by: Joyappa Achaiah

Professional journey

Before venturing into aviation, Achaiah worked across multiple domains including political strategy, international campaigns, leadership initiatives, and policy advisory roles.

While he had not previously worked in the aviation sector, he said extensive research and analysis of the industry helped him understand the opportunities and challenges involved.

“We carefully studied the aviation sector its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges before building this vision,” he explained.

To support the airline’s development, he has assembled a team of experienced aviation professionals and industry experts.

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Vision behind Ek Bharat Airline

The idea of starting an airline emerged during Achaiah’s travels across India, where he observed a gap between the rapid growth of airport infrastructure and the availability of reliable airline services, particularly in smaller cities.

“India has built many new airports, but there are still limited airline operations connecting tier-2 and tier-3 cities,” he said. He believes that affordable regional aviation can transform connectivity and economic opportunities in many parts of the country.

“The demand for reliable budget carriers is strong. We want to fill that gap by providing dependable and affordable air travel for all Indians,” he said.

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The core vision of Ek Bharat Airline is to strengthen regional connectivity by linking smaller cities with major metropolitan hubs.

The airline plans to focus heavily on tier-2 and tier-3 cities across India, ensuring that communities in these regions are better connected to economic and social opportunities.

Bengaluru is expected to serve as the airline’s primary hub. From there, the airline intends to expand connections across the country, including underserved regions in the North-East.

“This is about integrating regions and bringing people closer together,” Achaiah said.

The airline draws its inspiration from the Ek Bharat Abyyan Foundation, an organisation established earlier by Achaiah which has undertaken several pan-India campaigns.

One of the foundation’s initiatives includes a campaign titled “The Meaning and Value of Our National Anthem.”

“When we envisioned the airline, we wanted it to carry the same spirit of unity and integration,” he said. The airline also plans to collaborate with the foundation on corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives across the country.

Aircraft and operations

Ek Bharat Airline plans to operate a mix of regional and narrow-body aircraft to efficiently serve different types of routes.

The proposed fleet includes aircraft such as the ATR 72, Embraer E190, and Airbus A320.

This combination will allow the airline to operate short regional routes as well as higher-capacity metro connections.

The airline also intends to participate in the UDAN regional connectivity scheme, which aims to improve air connectivity to underserved and unconnected airports across India.

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Benefits for Kodagu

Although Kodagu does not currently have its own airport, Achaiah believes improved air connectivity through nearby airports will benefit residents and boost the district’s economy.

The airline is considering operations from nearby airports such as Mysuru, Kannur, and Mangaluru, which would significantly reduce travel time for Kodagu residents.

“Improved connectivity will boost tourism in Kodagu, attract investment, create employment opportunities and support local businesses,” he said.

Launch plans and recruitment

The airline is currently in the licensing and recruitment phase, with applications progressing through the required stages of approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Subject to regulatory approvals and operational readiness, the airline is targeting a launch in 2028. Ek Bharat Airline has also begun recruiting aviation professionals and operational experts as it builds its core team.

Interested candidates can apply through the airline’s official careers page. “We want to build a reliable, people-centric airline for India,” Achaiah said. “Our goal is simple to make flying affordable and accessible for every Indian while strengthening connectivity across the country.”

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