Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus Tata Group, has been appointed Chief Advisor to the board of AirAsia India, the low-cost start up airline that is expected to take to the skies by the end of this year.
‘Massive experience’
In a tweet, Tony Fernandes, Group CEO of AirAsia, confirmed the development, adding: “Persuading Mr Tata to be advisor has not been easy. Critical we have someone of his massive experience to help me chart AirAsia India with Mittu (who is the CEO of Air Asia India) and myself.”
AirAsia is the three-way joint venture between Malaysia-based low-cost airline AirAsia, the Tata Group and Telestra.
The tweet added that the name of the Chairman of AirAsia India will also be announced later tonight or tomorrow.
“Our Chairman is someone who has redefined many parts of India. A towering man who brings unbelievable experience to the AirAsia India board,” Fernandes added on Twitter.
AirAsia decided to set up a domestic airline here after the Government changed the norms and allowed foreign airlines to invest in a domestic airlines.
Approvals
AirAsia’s proposal to set up the airline has been approved by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board, the inter-ministerial body which clears foreign investment proposals.
The proposal is being examined by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, which is to give its nod before the airline begins operations.
ashwini.phadnis@thehindu.co.in