Dove Airlines Ceases Operations After 19 Years, Enters Voluntary Liquidation
Indian charter carrier Dove Airlines has officially shut down all operations and entered voluntary liquidation, bringing an end to its 19-year history. The airline, which was founded in 2007 and operated out of Kolkata, primarily provided business and private charter services using non-scheduled flights.
Financial Struggles and Insolvency Proceedings
The airline had been kept in insolvency proceedings for several years as ongoing efforts to secure new funding continued. However, these attempts ultimately proved unsuccessful, leading the company to initiate voluntary liquidation proceedings under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI).
Mr Pranab Kumar Chakrabarty has been appointed as the liquidator to oversee the distribution of assets and settlement of remaining liabilities. Creditors and stakeholders were required to submit proof of their claims by February 4, 2026.
Fleet and Operational History
Dove Airlines managed a fleet that included a 2005-built Cessna Citation Jet 2, registered as VT-DOV. According to reports, the airline has not operated any flights since 2022 when it lost its last Cessna Citation Jet to creditors.
At its peak, Dove Airlines operated as a non-scheduled charter carrier, providing both passenger and cargo services using regional aircraft such as the Dornier 228, as reported by Insolvency Tracker.
Despite ambitious mid-career plans to join the Indian government's UDAN scheme for regional connectivity, the airline remained plagued by financial stress, grounded fleets, and legal disputes with aircraft lessors.
Ownership Changes and Industry Context
Manufacturing company Usha-Martin divested its 50 percent stake in Dove Airlines back in 2015 due to sustained financial losses. This move was an early indicator of the challenges facing the carrier.
The liquidation of Dove Airlines follows similar financial difficulties in the aviation industry:
- Scottish firm EcoJet Airlines has also entered liquidation
- Royal Air Philippines has entered administration and cancelled all flights
- Smartlynx Airlines was forced to cancel all operations after entering administration
Smartlynx Airlines, which had been in business since 1992, was forced to cease all operations after facing financial difficulties since autumn 2025. The Latvia-based airline had been renowned for supplying European carriers including easyJet, with carriers applying their own branding to the otherwise unmarked planes. Smartlynx had even extended its reach to India in recent years before its collapse.
The grounding of Dove Airlines represents another casualty in an increasingly challenging aviation landscape, particularly for regional and charter operators facing financial pressures and operational hurdles.
