New Delhi, May 8 – Despite protest by the BJP, the directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) has issued flying licence to AirAsia India, the low-cost carrier of the tripartite joint venture between AirAsia Berhad, Tata Sons and Telestra Tradeplace owned by Arun Bhatia.
“We have granted the Air Operator’s Permit (AOP or flying licence) to AirAsia India, subject to the final decision of the High Court and that is, under the directions of the Supreme Court,” DGCA chief Prabhat Kumar told PTI.
The airline’s parent company, Malaysian carrier AirAsia’s CEO Tony Fernandes tweeted: “History has been made today in Aviation. Everything has been hard for Airasia but we never give up. Today Airasia India has got APPROVAL.”
“Our CEO @MittuChandilya with Air Operators permit. What a battle that was. proud day for me and all airasia stars,” Fernandes said in a following tweet.
Chandilya also tweeted: “Boom! 1815hrs(IST) today AirAsiaIndia was born. So proud of my team. Who is ready to revolutionize Air Travel in India.”
“Reckless disregard of the rules and regulations”- Subramanian Swamy
Reacting to the development, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, who is among the petitioners in the High Court, “condemned” it and said it was done in “reckless disregard of the rules and regulations”.
In a statement, he said, “The matter had been under the purview of the Election Commission as a violation of the model code and was before the Delhi High Court on the directions of the Supreme Court. Therefore, the hurry of the government is inexplicable.”
Recently, the DGCA had disposed of all objections against the proposed low-cost carrier, another important step before an air operator permit (AOP) is issued. On Tuesday, AirAsia had completed its last inspection before the DGCA.
The government had in April 2013 cleared AirAsia’s proposal to invest Rs.80.98 crore in AirAsia India.
The entry of the low-cost Malaysia airline is expected to start a price war among the budget carriers in the domestic market.
Earlier, the airline had claimed that its fares could be 25-30 per cent lower than those charged by other airlines.
-India Today
