AirAsia India chief executive, Mittu Chandilya, has slowed down its fleet expansion, which had intended to add one aircraft every month, until there is clarity on international flying rules. AirAsia India’s five-strong fleet will end the year with just 7-10 aircraft.
Chandilya told reporters that the government needs to abolish the 5/20 rule and that he was “very optimistic” that things will change where open skies and free competition will be allowed.
Even though Chandilya says the airline has identified the overseas routes where it wants to fly, the current policies are a big deterrent.
To expand further in India, Chandilya said that airport infrastructure needs an upgrade, specifically in Mumbai.
"If we start from Mumbai, we will be close to 100 percent on load factors. Mumbai is a wonderful city, it has a travelling population who are looking to be adventurous, go to destinations that we could go to.
"It is the infrastructure (that is the problem), I can't afford delays. I can't be circling around in the air. I need very quick, 25-minute turnarounds," he said.