The largest Southeast Asian discount carrier had earlier planned to launch its operations in the country towards the end of the current calendar year. "AirAsia is currently preparing a ground so that as soon as the FIPB ( Foreign Investment Promotion Board) clearance comes they should be able to launch operations.
The company, which last month announced the joint venture with Tata Group, aims to name its chief executive for the new company soon and will conduct interviews for senior pilots in Mumbai later in the week, according to people familiar with the situation.
AirAsia will need senior pilots on the carrier's staff early on to help with the airline's certification and approval process with India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation. But before that, AirAsia first needs to receive approval from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board for the proposed tie-up.
The airline, based in Sepang, Malaysia, said Monday it hasn't started hiring for the proposed India venture. It didn't elaborate.
AirAsia and Tata are aiming to crack the difficult Indian market, where the aviation industry must contend with extensive government regulations and jet-fuel prices that are among the highest in the world. AirAsia would own a 49% stake in AirAsia India. Tata Sons, the Indian conglomerate with operations in businesses as diverse as salt and software, would own 30% of the venture. Arun Bhatia of Telstra Tradeplace Pvt. Ltd. would own the remaining 21%.
Among the pilots being approached by AirAsia are several Kingfisher Airlines Ltd captains, according to the people familiar with the situation. As many as 30 Kingfisher captains are in the job market after their airline, owned by liquor baron Vijay Mallya, was grounded in October amid mounting debt.
The Kingfisher pilots operated the Airbus A320, made by European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co. The jet is the same aircraft that AirAsia plans to fly in India.
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