Arun Kharat: The Journey from a Pune Chawl to Wings Travels, a Rs 140 Crore Enterprise

Arun Kharat‘s life story is a testament to the power of hard work and entrepreneurship. From humble beginnings in a small Pune chawl to establishing Wings Travels, a car rental, radio cab, and staff transport Management Company with an annual turnover of Rs 140 crore, Arun’s journey is an inspiration to many. This article delves into the remarkable story of Arun Kharat and his path to success. During his early years, Arun did not have a penchant for academics and was not drawn to the books his brother, now a doctor, avidly read. After completing his Class 10 board examination, Arun’s journey took an unconventional turn. He began working at a small footwear shop run by his uncle. This experience piqued his interest in running his own business.

To equip himself for entrepreneurial success, Arun enrolled in a Government Polytechnic College and pursued a diploma in Mechanical Engineering. This academic pursuit marked the beginning of his journey towards self-sufficiency and business acumen. Arun’s journey into entrepreneurship was not without its trials and experiments. After exploring several jobs in various industries, he decided to venture into the travel business. His entrepreneurial odyssey commenced with operating an STD booth. Slowly but steadily, he transitioned into a ticket agent for a private bus company. By 1993-94, he expanded his services to include car rentals. In 1996, Arun took a significant step by acquiring his own cars and establishing his fleet.

Wings Travels:

Today, Wings Travels stands as a prominent player in the car rental industry, with operations in nine major Indian cities, including Mumbai, Pune, Gurgaon, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, and Baroda. Arun Kharat’s vision extends beyond Indian borders, as he has also expanded his business into Thailand. Wings Travels boasts a fleet of 475 company-owned cabs, over 800 cabs through the Malik Chalak scheme, and a contracted fleet of 5,500 cabs. This substantial reach underscores Arun’s commitment to providing quality transport solutions to the masses.

What sets Arun Kharat and Wings Travels apart is their innovative approach to the business. Arun’s initiatives go beyond profit to create a positive impact on society. Earlier this year, Wings Travels collaborated with the Humsafar Trust, a community organization, to train 300 members of Mumbai’s LGBT community to become private taxi drivers. This initiative aims to break the stigma associated with the LGBT community while offering them improved employment opportunities. In Bengaluru, Arun introduced an embedded SOS feature in his cabs, designed to activate in case a passenger panics or screams. This innovation enhances passenger safety by allowing prompt assistance from nearby cabs if a passenger is in distress.

Arun Kharat’s entrepreneurial journey is a story of resilience, hard work, and innovation. From his modest beginnings in a Pune chawl to building a thriving enterprise, Arun’s path to success serves as a shining example of what can be achieved with determination and a forward-thinking approach. His commitment to making a positive impact on society, whether through supporting the LGBT community or enhancing passenger safety, highlights the values that drive his business, Wings Travels, towards a brighter future.