Asia’s leading low cost airline, AirAsia plans to commence flights to Indian cities of Delhi, Kolkata and Amritsar through its Bangkok hub, by the first half of 2010. This piece of information was given by Tony Fernandes, the group’s Chief Executive Officer.
Mr. Fernandes was quoted as saying that India is a huge market with 1.1 billion people, US$3.1 trillion economy and 20 potential airports and there is much scope to tap the market. He further added that the venture would be exciting, not just for AirAsia, but the entire Malaysian tourism industry.
By 2010, AirAsia plans to start six routes from Malaysia to India, while three will be via Thailand, as per Mr. Fernandes, who conveyed the same during the launch of Kuala Lumpur-Kolkata route. AirAsia would start flights on the Kuala Lumpur-Chennai and Kuala Lumpur-Bangalore routes by May next year. While Penang-Chennai route would start in April, Kuala Lumpur-Hyderabad flighst will commence in July.
The Kuala Lumpur-Mumbai and Kuala Lumpur-Delhi routes would be operated by AirAsia's long-haul affiliate, AirAsia X, by the end of next year. Currently, AirAsia flies to Trichy, Kochin and Trivandrum, apart from Kolkata. With frequency of two flights a day, Trichy is one of AirAsia's top ten profitable routes.
