+
AirAsia Group Expands India Operations Post-Tata Partnership Exit
AVIATION & AIRPORTS

AirAsia Group Expands India Operations Post-Tata Partnership Exit

Despite parting ways with Tata Group, AirAsia Group is pressing ahead with its India market expansion, focusing on rising air travel demand between India and Southeast Asia. Thai AirAsia X, the long-haul, low-cost airline based at Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport, launched its maiden operations to India on Sunday with direct flights between Delhi and Bangkok. The airline is starting with twice-weekly flights on Wednesdays and Sundays, planning to increase the frequency to four flights per week starting January 15, 2025. Speaking at a press conference in Delhi, Tassapon Bijleveld, CEO of Thai AirAsia X, expressed enthusiasm over the launch. "Yesterday was amazing. We got our permit two weeks ago, started flying, and had a 90% load factor," he noted, sharing that 319 passengers boarded the maiden flight from Delhi to Bangkok, with a surprising 329 passengers on the return journey. The airline aims to cater not only to travellers bound for Bangkok but also to those connecting onward to destinations like Vietnam, China, and Australia. It operates Airbus A330-300 widebody aircraft with a seating capacity of 367. This expansion follows AirAsia Bhd's exit from its joint venture with Tata Sons in 2022. The JV previously operated AirAsia India, which has since merged into the Air India Group. Thai AirAsia X’s India entry is supported by a new bilateral air services agreement between India and Thailand, which increases weekly seat allocations by 43% to 46,000. Under the agreement, the additional 14,000 weekly seats will be introduced in two phases, with the second phase kicking in once airlines from both countries utilise 80% of their current capacity. Thai AirAsia X’s entry underscores the growing demand for direct connectivity between India and Southeast Asia. (ET)

Despite parting ways with Tata Group, AirAsia Group is pressing ahead with its India market expansion, focusing on rising air travel demand between India and Southeast Asia. Thai AirAsia X, the long-haul, low-cost airline based at Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport, launched its maiden operations to India on Sunday with direct flights between Delhi and Bangkok. The airline is starting with twice-weekly flights on Wednesdays and Sundays, planning to increase the frequency to four flights per week starting January 15, 2025. Speaking at a press conference in Delhi, Tassapon Bijleveld, CEO of Thai AirAsia X, expressed enthusiasm over the launch. Yesterday was amazing. We got our permit two weeks ago, started flying, and had a 90% load factor, he noted, sharing that 319 passengers boarded the maiden flight from Delhi to Bangkok, with a surprising 329 passengers on the return journey. The airline aims to cater not only to travellers bound for Bangkok but also to those connecting onward to destinations like Vietnam, China, and Australia. It operates Airbus A330-300 widebody aircraft with a seating capacity of 367. This expansion follows AirAsia Bhd's exit from its joint venture with Tata Sons in 2022. The JV previously operated AirAsia India, which has since merged into the Air India Group. Thai AirAsia X’s India entry is supported by a new bilateral air services agreement between India and Thailand, which increases weekly seat allocations by 43% to 46,000. Under the agreement, the additional 14,000 weekly seats will be introduced in two phases, with the second phase kicking in once airlines from both countries utilise 80% of their current capacity. Thai AirAsia X’s entry underscores the growing demand for direct connectivity between India and Southeast Asia. (ET)

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Pawan Kalyan Pushes For Faster Tribal Road Works

Deputy Chief Minister for Panchayat Raj, Rural Development, and Forest and Environment, K Pawan Kalyan, has instructed officials to fast-track road construction under the Adavi Thalli Bata initiative. The programme aims to provide road connectivity to 625 tribal habitations, many of which have remained inaccessible since Independence.At a review meeting, officials reported that 186 road works are currently in progress, with 20 more at the tender stage undergoing technical evaluation. Of the 128 proposed roads in reserved forest areas, forest clearance has been secured for 98, marking notable a..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Seven-Km Pataudi Highway Bypass Opens 31 August

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced that a seven-kilometre alternative stretch on the Pataudi Highway will become operational by 31 August. This under-construction segment is part of the Rs 9.5 billion, 46.1 km Pataudi Highway project, aimed at enhancing connectivity between Gurugram, Pataudi, and Rewari.The existing Pataudi Road, which passes through Harsaru, Hayatpur, and Wazirpur, is plagued by chronic congestion, especially during peak hours. The new alignment will bypass these bottlenecks, offering faster and smoother travel for passenger and commercial vehicles...

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Parliament Passes Merchant Shipping Bill 2025

Parliament on Monday, 11 August 2025, approved The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025, with the Rajya Sabha passing it by voice vote. The Lok Sabha had cleared the Bill earlier on 6 August.The legislation seeks to broaden the eligibility criteria for ownership of merchant shipping vessels and introduces provisions for investigations and enquiries into marine casualties.The Bill was passed in the Upper House amid a walkout by Opposition members, who were protesting and demanding a discussion on the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. Opposition MPs objected to the Bill being..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?