AirAsia to expand India operations

Kolkata: Pioneering Malaysian low fare carrier, AirAsia, is looking to expand its network in India by adding more destinations. It has already achieved wide coverage in China, operating about 200 flights a week to seven cities.

AirAsia regional commercial head, Kathleen Tan, said the budget carrier had finally arrived in the Indian market after a long period spent sorting out documentation issues.

''There is a lot of demand for flights between India and Kuala Lumpur (KL). The expansion of the Indian routes will help open up the tourism industry in both countries and stimulate the labour market as well,'' she told reporters in Kolkata last Friday.

She was speaking at an event to commemorate the inaugural Kuala Lumpur-Kolkata flight.

Tan mentioned that the airline was considering opening links from KL to prime Indian destinations Bangalore and Hyderabad from next year. She also mentioned that sister airline AirAsia X would look to serve Mumbai and New Delhi.

''We have a hub in Bangkok within our network and we are planning to do the Bangkok-Kolkata, Phuket-Kolkata as well as Bangkok-Mumbai and Bangkok-Delhi routes,'' she said.