Kuala Lumpur: AirAsia India, the newly proposed joint-venture airline to serve the Indian population of 1.2 billion, is expected to begin its operations in the fourth quarter of the year.
Founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian-based frills-free airline Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said the timeframe was subject to all regulatory approvals being obtained from the Indian authorities.
Asked on the cost of investment for AirAsia India, Fernandes said it was still early to confirm, but went on to say that the cost of starting a new airline was usually around US$30 million to US$50 million.
"We have to get through the process. I hope we can get the approvals and start operations sometime this year, or maybe in the fourth quarter," Fernandes told Bernama via telephone from London.
21/02/13 Bernama/MYsinchew.com
