AirAsia India files application to launch operations

NEW DELHI: The newly-formed AirAsia India, the Indian arm of Malaysia's low-cost carrier AirAsia, has filed an application with the Civil Aviation Ministry seeking permission to launch its operations, official sources said here on Thursday. The airline had filed its application with the ministry on April 23. It has plans to launch operations with a few aircraft and proposes to bring in 37 planes in five years, they said.

The joint venture company is likely to have at least six members on its board, comprising two nominees each from AirAsia and Tata Sons and one representative from Telestra Tradeplace. There would be an independent director on the board who would also be the non-executive chairman. Tata Sons has nominated R Venkatraman, former executive assistant to Ratan Tata and Bharat Vasani, the chief legal counsel of the Tata Group, on the Board. AirAsia would be represented by Tony Fernandes and Kamarudin Bin Meranun.