AIRASIA INDIA
AirAsia may start new flights to India
Joint ventures with Indian airline companies in the works
BY A CORRESPONDENT
March 24, 2006
Malaysian low-cost carrier AirAsia looking at operating flights to new
destinations in India and expanding services to China to boost
revenues. The airline would also look at forming new joint-ventures in
India, China and the Philippines as a part of its expansion strategy.
"We continue to talk to various parties to explore the possibility of
establishing joint-ventures. But it must fit into our strategic plan
to make the company an Asian carrier and to provide easy and
affordable access for people to travel in the region," AirAsia deputy
chief executive Kamarudin Meranum told reporters.
Kamarudin, however, did not disclose further details of starting
flights to India, stating it was "only probing at the possibility".
With the arrival of new Airbus 320 aircraft, AirAsia hoped to increase
frequencies to China, and consider flying from Kuala Lumpur to
southern cities of Guangzhou and Shenzhen.
AirAsia has already managed 49 per cent-owned joint venture low-cost
carriers in Thailand and Indonesia, since 2004.
AirAsia has taken delivery of five of the 100 A320 aircraft and by the
end of of this year, AirAsia would have 15 in service. This would also
include Boeing 737-400S, that would be phased out at a later point in
time.
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