Ratan Tata flies Air Asia chief to Delhi

Tata group chairman emeritus today morning flew AirAsia group chief Tony Fernandes to New Delhi for a meeting with Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh on the clearances for AirAsia India. Mr. Tata, Mr. Fernandes and AirAsia India chief Mittu Chandilya met the minister, who said the airline's no-objection certificate should not take long.

"My new pilot, Sir Ratan Tata, flying me to Delhi. Another way AirAsia cuts costs. The advisor is a pilot," Mr. Fernandes tweeted.

Mr. Tata holds a pilot's licence and reportedly often flies the aircraft that the Tata group owns. He is also the chief advisor on the AirAsia India board.

"I think this is a different type of enterprise that Mr. Fernades is bringing and hopefully spread the use of air travel across India and in a new dimension," Mr. Tata said after the meeting.

Addressing a press conference yesterday, Mr. Fernandes revealed aggressive growth and pricing plans for the airline. The airline plans to add 10 planes a year and will focus on operations at the country's under-utilised airports instead of offering services to the country's main hubs Mumbai and New Delhi, he said.

AirAsia intends to make flying affordable to everyone and it will not remain for the selected few any more, Mr. Fernandes said.

AirAsia already has other clearances in place, and awaits nods from the airports regulator and the Civil Aviation Ministry. The airline is scheduled to begin operations by the fourth quarter of 2013.