New Delhi, Sept. 12 -- Manoj Chacko arrives mildly hungry at Copita Riverside Bistro & Bar in Ribandar near Old Goa. It's an awkward time for a meal, 5pm, and the newly opened restaurant has just started business for the day.

The managing director and chief executive officer of regional carrier FLY91 asks for an egg bhurji, his go-to dish on most occasions. It's off menu, but the staff graciously agree to get it as we sit by the Mandovi river on a dull weekday afternoon. Chacko's office is close by-a rare airline headquartered in Goa and not in one of India's major cities-which explains this choice of venue.

FLY91, which started in 2024, currently operates over 280 weekly flights connecting 13 destinations-Goa, Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderaba...