With his proposed budget airline still awaiting nod from the Civil aviation ministry, AirAsia group chief executive Tony Fernandes may call on Union Minister Ajit Singh next week when he visits the country.
AirAsia India can seek flying licence only after it gets the go—ahead from the Union Home and Aviation Ministries.
“I am coming to India next week—end,” Fernandes told PTI in a text message.
This will be Fernandes’s first visit after his company joined hands with the Tata Group and Arun Bhatia of Telestra TradePlace to launch a low—cost airline in a 49:30:21 partnership.
AirAsia had presented its business plan and the application for a no—objection certificate to the aviation ministry in April to start its India operations.
It has already put in place top management team with the Tata Group patriarch Ratan Tata as the Chief Advisor and TCS vice—chairman S Ramadorai as Chairman of the five—member board. Singapore—based Mittu Chandilya has been picked up as the chief executive.
AirAsia India received approvals from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board in early April.
Aviation Minister Ajit Singh had recently told reporters that all the matters regarding its application had been sorted out.
“All matters on AirAsia India have been resolved. The proposal has been sent to the Home Ministry for security clearance. Once the ministry’s nod comes, the aviation ministry will give its clearance,” he had said in London.