New Delhi: Budget airline king Tony Fernandes may face his toughest fight yet in India's hyper-competitive aviation market where existing players are struggling to make a profit, analysts say.
The former music industry executive, who resurrected near-defunct Malaysia-based AirAsia in 2001 and turned it into one of the industry's biggest success stories, said last week he wants his planned new Indian carrier to take off in October.
In a whistle-stop Indian visit, the 49-year-old Malaysian, a household name in much of Asia, declared he wanted to create a new market for cheap air travel in the country of 1.2 billion -- much as he has done in Southeast Asia.
"No driver who has ever driven me in India has ever been on a plane -- I want to change that," Fernandes, sporting his trademark red AirAsia cap, told reporters in New Delhi, promising "the lowest possible fares"
"Flying is not just for the rich, it should be for everyone," the Formula One racing team owner said.
10/09/13 AFP/Economic Times
To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline
The former music industry executive, who resurrected near-defunct Malaysia-based AirAsia in 2001 and turned it into one of the industry's biggest success stories, said last week he wants his planned new Indian carrier to take off in October.
In a whistle-stop Indian visit, the 49-year-old Malaysian, a household name in much of Asia, declared he wanted to create a new market for cheap air travel in the country of 1.2 billion -- much as he has done in Southeast Asia.
"No driver who has ever driven me in India has ever been on a plane -- I want to change that," Fernandes, sporting his trademark red AirAsia cap, told reporters in New Delhi, promising "the lowest possible fares"
"Flying is not just for the rich, it should be for everyone," the Formula One racing team owner said.
10/09/13 AFP/Economic Times
