Whether or not the Jet-Etihad duet finally gets to perform on the stage is still not certain, but, in recent days, the theatre of Indian civil aviation has been enlivened greatly.
The collaboration of Asia’s biggest low-cost carrier, AirAsia, and the Tatas in floating a new airline will, if nothing else, spur competition in the Indian skies and, of course, help the average flier.
As the India-born founder of AirAsia, Tony Fernandes, said while announcing the three-way joint venture (the third party being Telestra Tradeplace, belonging to the extended family of the steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal): “We have carefully evaluated developments in India over the last few years and believe that the current environment is perfect to introduce AirAsia’s low fares”.
28/02/13 Ranbir Ray Choudhury/Business Line
