Founder & CEO
Srinivas Chilukuri
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Air Indo Airlines
Srinivas Chilukuri
Founder & CEO, Air Indo Airlines
The Visionary Behind Air Indo
From Andhra Pradesh to the World — and Back
Srinivas Chilukuri was born and raised in Andhra Pradesh, a state that shaped his understanding of India's regional potential and its connectivity challenges. Growing up in a region where a journey between two major cities could consume an entire day, he developed an early conviction that India's aviation story was far from complete.
After completing his undergraduate education in India, Srinivas pursued a Master's degree in Computer Science in the United States — an experience that exposed him to world-class aviation infrastructure, efficient regional air networks, and the transformative economic impact that connectivity can have on communities.
He returned to India with a clear purpose: to build the regional airline that India's growing cities deserve.
The Entrepreneurial Journey
Building from First Principles
Srinivas spent years studying India's aviation market — its gaps, its regulatory landscape, its infrastructure, and its untapped demand. He immersed himself in the economics of regional aviation, studying successful models from Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Americas to understand what makes a regional airline sustainable.
His analysis led him to a clear conclusion: the ATR 72-600 turboprop, operated on carefully selected underserved corridors, with a disciplined cost structure and a safety-first culture, represented the most viable path to building a sustainable regional airline in India.
Air Indo Airlines is the result of that conviction — a venture built not on opportunism, but on deep research, genuine belief in India's regional aviation potential, and a commitment to doing it right.
Journey Milestones
Early Life
Born & raised in Andhra Pradesh
Witnessed regional connectivity gaps first-hand
India
Undergraduate education
Foundation in engineering and business
USA
Master's in Computer Science
Exposure to world-class aviation infrastructure
Return
Back to India with a mission
Deep research into Indian regional aviation
Today
Building Air Indo Airlines
Progressing through DGCA certification
Aviation Vision
What Srinivas Believes
Regional aviation is India's next chapter
India's metro airports are congested and expensive. The next phase of Indian aviation growth will be driven by Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities — and Air Indo Airlines intends to lead that chapter.
Safety is non-negotiable
There is no trade-off between safety and affordability. A well-run airline can deliver both. Safety culture must be built from day one — not retrofitted after growth.
The right aircraft for the right routes
Operating a jet on a 400 km route is economically irrational. The ATR 72-600 is purpose-built for the routes Air Indo will fly — and that discipline is what enables affordable fares.
India deserves world-class regional aviation
Indian passengers on regional routes deserve the same quality of experience as those flying between metros. Air Indo Airlines will not compromise on the passenger experience.
Leadership Philosophy
How Srinivas Leads
Srinivas believes that great organisations are built on clarity of purpose, rigorous execution, and a culture where every team member understands why their work matters. At Air Indo Airlines, that purpose is clear: connect India's growing cities and unlock opportunity for millions of people.
He leads with transparency — about the challenges of building an airline from scratch, about the regulatory journey ahead, and about the long-term nature of the commitment required. He believes that investors, partners, and future employees deserve honesty about both the opportunity and the hard work it will take.
We are not building an airline to flip it. We are building an airline to fly it — for decades. Every decision we make today is a decision we will live with in the air.
Srinivas Chilukuri, Founder & CEO
Connect with Srinivas
Investors, aviation professionals, and potential partners are welcome to reach out directly through our contact page.