DGCA set to inspect AirAsia training facility

NEW DELHI: The joint venture low-cost airline formed by Tata Group and Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia is set to take off soon. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation ( DGCA) is next week sending a team of its officials to inspect AirAsia's cabin crew training facility in Malaysia where the LCC plans to train the cabin crew for the Indian subsidiary too. This is the first time that an India-registered airline's cabin crew will be trained abroad.

"The airline's schedule air operator permit (read licence) is in very advanced stages. It could be issued in January," said an official. The airline will in coming years set up cabin crew training facility in India also. About 100 crew members for the Tata-AirAsia JV are being trained in Malaysia currently. "The crew being trained for the Indian airline are undergoing a curriculum that keeps in mind our statutory requirements."

The LCC is now looking at starting operations exactly a year after it applied for the same. It will operate Airbus A-320s and have a fleet of 10 within a year. The Tata Group's other airline — a full service with Singapore Airlines — has applied for a no objection certificate from the aviation ministry.