Dove Airlines, an Indian charter carrier founded in 2007, operated out of Kolkata, primarily providing business and private charter services. It was authorized to operate non-scheduled flights and maintained a fleet that included a 2005-built Cessna Citation Jet 2, registered VT-DOV. At its peak, Dove Airlines operated as a non-scheduled carrier, providing passenger and cargo services using regional aircraft like the Dornier 228.
Dove Airlines had not operated any flights since 2022, when it lost its last Cessna Citation Jet to creditors. Manufacturing giant Usha-Martin offloaded its 50 percent stake in Dove Airlines back in 2015 owing to prolonged financial losses, and the airline remained mired in insolvency proceedings for several years as attempts to secure fresh funding continued. Despite ambitious mid-career plans to join the government's UDAN scheme for regional connectivity, Dove Airlines remained plagued by financial stress, grounded fleets, and legal disputes with aircraft lessors.
Following the failure of funding efforts, Dove Airlines opted to enter voluntary liquidation proceedings under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India. Mr Pranab Kumar Chakrabarty was appointed as liquidator to oversee the distribution of assets and the settlement of outstanding liabilities for Dove Airlines, with creditors and stakeholders required to submit proof of their claims by February 4. The exact date in January 2025 when Dove Airlines entered voluntary liquidation remains unclear, and the total amount of outstanding liabilities and number of creditors have not been disclosed. It is also unknown whether any employees or customers have been directly impacted or compensated, and the current status of any legal disputes with aircraft lessors is not confirmed.
Smartlynx Airlines, which had been trading since 1992, was forced to halt all operations after enduring financial difficulties since the autumn of 2025, with all aircraft grounded following unsuccessful attempts to rescue the Latvian-based firm. The airline had built a strong reputation for providing wet-lease services to major European carriers such as easyJet, which would apply their own branding to the otherwise unmarked aircraft, and in recent years, Smartlynx Airlines had even expanded its operations. The specific reasons for the financial difficulties of Smartlynx Airlines beyond general mentions are not detailed, and it is unclear whether any employees or customers have been affected.
In addition to these collapses, Scottish firm EcoJet Airlines has been liquidated, and Royal Air Philippines has entered administration and cancelled all flights, indicating broader challenges in the aviation industry.