AirAsia India flights to begin from June 12, ticket sales start Friday

AirAsia India, a joint venture between AirAsia, Tata Sons Arun Bhatia’s Telestra Tradeplace, was granted flying licence by aviation regulator DGCA earlier this month after 9-month- long wait and various legal hurdles.

Fernandes announced the launch of flights on micro blogging platform Twitter, saying that the “first flight (will be on) June 12” and ticket sales will open tomorrow.

It could not be immediately ascertained as to what will be the route of the first flights for AirAsia India, which has made Chennai its hub. There are conjectures that the first flight could be from or to this southern city.

The existing carriers operating in India include low-cost private players like IndiGo, SpiceJet and GoAir, as also full service airlines like Jet Airways and state-run Air India.

AirAsia has been preparing its ground-work for launch of flights since a long time, including by putting in place the required manpower including Mittu Chandilya as its CEO.

AirAsia India, whose top officials have promised to offer low and competitive airfares, will focus on connecting Tier-II cities to begin with.

The start-up carrier recently completed inspections, including the Airbus A-320 craft, monitored by the DGCA. These test flights went on for over 10 hours across five sectors as per the DGCA regulations.