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AirAsia India has inducted eighth aircraft to its fleet as a part of its efforts to operate about 20 aircraft by 2017-18. The latter will allow it to fly to overseas destinations.
The airliner promoted by Tata Sons (51 per cent) and AirAsia of Malaysia, plans to connect to Kochi by operating daily flights from Hyderabad from October 8, 2016 with the new aircraft, its eighth. This will also help increase its frequencies to Bengaluru–Hyderabad and Bengaluru–Kochi segments.
The airliner announced a lifetime of free flights to the gold medallists, 5 years and 3 years of free flights to Silver and Bronze medallists at the Rio Olympics and Paralympics.
Five Indian athletes who won Gold, Silver and Bronze medals will be able to fly to any of the 120 plus destinations within AirAsia and AirAsia X’s extensive network in Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Africa.
Amar Abrol, CEO, AirAsia India, said, “Hyderabad is becoming an important hub for domestic and international travel in and from India, and the addition of frequencies to Kochi is our gift to the Keralites for Onam! Hyderabad and Kochi have a huge potential for sustainable urban mobility and are popular tourist and business locations.”
“As part of our celebrations, we are also pleased to offer free flights for all the Indians who have made our country proud at the recently conducted Olympics & Paralympics,” he said.
Equity infusion “We are on course to taking our fleet up from 8 to 20 by 2017-2018. AirAsia India will soon close the second round of equity infusion, which will enable the airliner to expand and connect to a number of new destinations,” he said.
“As a company, AirAsia has had an acquisition driven growth having acquired airliners in the Philippines and Indonesia. We are open to similar opportunities if they come by,” he said.
India has emerged as one of the fastest growing aviation markets in the world and presents immense opportunities to expand and connect newer destinations. Currently, about 70 million passengers fly and this could go up significantly, if the growth of 22 per cent is any indication, he said.
“There is some sort of price war now under way and fares are about 54 per cent lower compared to last year. Yet we expect to become cash flow positive soon,” he said.
Huge investment The airliner has thus far invested about $30 million and is close to making another big investment as it closes funds before the month end.
AirAsia India flies to 11 destinations with its hubs in Bengaluru and New Delhi covering Chandigarh, Jaipur, Guwahati, Imphal, Goa, Pune, Vizag, Hyderabad and Kochi in its network.
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