AirAsia to commence flight to India in December

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian low cost airliner AirAsia will start services to India from 1 December, with inaugural fares as low as Rs700.

The largest Asian budget carrier would commence flights to Thiruchi in Tamil Nadu, as a precursor to operations to nine other locations in India, AirAsia CEO Datuk Tony Fernandes was quoted as saying by the media. He said AirAsia would start ticket sales to Trichy at midnight on Wednesday, with the first flight scheduled for 1 December, which is slated to be a daily service. The airline might add a second flight, as it says that the initial response has been overwhelming.

Special promotional prices for the flight will cost MYR 49 (Malaysian Ringgit), or Rs700for a one-way flight. Normal ticket prices would be around MYR 200 one-way.

Other AirAsia destinations being considered by the airline are reported to include Chennai, Madurai and Kochi. AirAsiaX, the long-haul low cost airline, will service destinations in India such as New Delhi, Bombay, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Calcutta. The airline is reported to be anticipating huge growth in Indian tourist arrivals and is consequently looking at spending MYR7 million, equivalent of $2 million or Rs9.7 crore, for new infrastructure in Thiruchi. 

AirAsia will use 10 Airbus A320 single-aisle planes for its flights to India, and is optimistic of ferrying a load factor of 90 per cent for its first flight. AirAsiaX will grow routes to Japan, South Korea, Europe and the United States, reports said.