AirAsia India inducts 7th aircraft into fleet

Bengaluru, Aug 17 (PTI) Domestic budget carrier AirAsiaIndia today announced the induction of seventh aircraft to itsfleet with the introduction of Hyderabad to its network ofdestinations. AirAsia India’s seventh A320, 180-seater one classaircraft, will be operational from September 22, and connectHyderabad with Bengaluru and Goa on a daily basis, the companyofficials said. The AirAsia flight will also connect Bengaluru toGuwahati with a daily service, they said. The airline is offering tickets in the range of Rs 1,499to Rs 5,499. "This lucky seven aircraft is the beginning of our journeyto get to 20 aircraft as soon as possible over the course ofnext multiple months. This aircraft will operate on our newroutes from September 22, 2016," AirAsia India CEO Amar Abroltold reporters here. "….AirAsia India’s entire team is working towardsrealising 20 aircraft as soon as possible, but these thingstake a bit of time. We have to get the aircraft, we have toget the pilots, it’s all work in progress," he added. AirAsia India that started its operations on June 122014 said with the addition of one more sector it will be nowflying to 11 destinations with its hubs in Bengaluru and NewDelhi covering Chandigarh, Jaipur, Guwahati, Imphal, Goa,Pune, Vizag, Kochi and Hyderabad in its network ofdestinations. Stating that AirAsia India’s market share now is 2.2per cent, Abrol said, "it is constantly growing, we have justcrossed three million passengers, year on year growth innumber passengers flown on us is about 54 per cent , we havean amazing load factor- we clocked about 86 per cent onaverage…" He said "we are very very India focused, we willcertainly continue to invest and grow our network inIndia…We are investing in aircraft, my board has clearedthe funding, it’s a matter of time when we get to 20(aircraft)." Not wishing to comment on the funding that has beencleared by the board, Abrol said it is a "significant millionsof dollar investment that’s has been approved." Noting that the airline is working on a network plan, hesaid "largely over the period of time we are connecting moreand more to Goa which is the party capital of India. We arecertainly growing our network where BPOs, KPOs, the youth are,and connecting the dots." PTI KSU RA BN BENABI