AirAsia Group Expands India Operations Post-Tata Partnership Exit

17 Dec 2024 CW Team

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)

Infrastructure Urban

06 Apr 2026

InsideFPV Delivers ₹10 Crore Kamikaze Drone Order Under MoD’s EPR Route

InsideFPV, a Surat-based drone technology manufacturer, has successfully executed a ₹10 crore defence contract to supply indigenous kamikaze drones under the Ministry of Defence’s Emergency Procurement Route (EPR). The company completed the delivery of hundreds of FPV kamikaze drone platforms within a rapid two-month timeframe, highlighting its ability to meet urgent military procurement timelines.The supply orders were fulfilled under the emergency procurement mechanism, which is aimed at fast-tracking acquisitions for immediate operational needs. InsideFPV’s quick execution reflects it..

Vedanta Resources Secures Fitch Upgrade to ‘BB-’, Best Rating Since 2015

Vedanta Resources Limited (VRL), a global player in metals, oil & gas, critical minerals, power and technology, has received a credit rating upgrade from Fitch Ratings, marking its strongest bond rating in over a decade.Fitch has raised Vedanta Resources’ Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘BB-’ from ‘B+’, while maintaining a Stable Outlook. The agency also upgraded VRL’s senior unsecured rating, along with the ratings of US dollar-denominated bonds issued by Vedanta Resources Finance II Plc and guaranteed by VRL, to ‘BB-’.The upgrade represents Vedan..

NAREDCO NextGen NCR Chapter Launched

The NAREDCO NextGen NCR Chapter was recently launched at Excelerate 2026 in Mumbai, marking a key step towards integrating emerging real estate leaders from the National Capital Region with the national platform. The initiative aims to promote sustainable and responsible urban development through collaboration and knowledge exchange.The event brought together young developers, entrepreneurs, and professionals from across NCR, including Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Bhiwadi, and Meerut. Discussions focused on urban development, finance, sustainability, innovation, and policy, emphasisi..