AirAsia Enters Indian Market

A splendid dance performance from the Temple of Fine Arts

AirAsia flight AK 232 arrived at LCCT with the first batch of guests from Trichy were given a warm welcome

AirAsia team dressed in Indian theme. HE Ashoke is in Western attire as

he was not informed of the dress code like other guests

Tony grabed in Indian attire for the KL-Trichy-KL launch

HE Ashok said the launch timing is just right in view of rapidly growing

trade relations and tourist arrivals

AirAsia enters Indian market
Text and Photos by Anthony Tan

AirAsia’s foray into India, with the start of its direct daily return flights from Kuala Lumpur-Tiruchirappalli(Trichy) -Kuala Lumpur on 1 December, has inevitably led to questions on when the low cost carrier (LCC) will begin flights to the other parts of the country.

AirAsia Bhd group chief executive officer (CEO) Dato’ Seri Tony Fernandes’ response is, “We hope to put five to six more flights in India in the next 18 months.

He believes it is viable for AirAsia and AirAsia X to compliment each other to fly to 10 Indian destinations such as Bombay, New Delhi, Madras, Cochin and Tiruvananthapuram within the next 18 months.

Describing the maiden Trichy flight into KL as “the most spectacular launch AirAsia has ever had”, Tony said it answered the question of recession where most airlines are cutting back and not expanding.

Barely three weeks after opening the ticket sales for its new KL-Trichy route using the new 180-seater Airbus A320, he said AirAsia has recorded 100% load factor from 1-18 December. This worked out to be an average of over 80% load factor both ways for December.

“We have created new demands for the market and are very proud to service an underserved sector. The continuous strength of this network will allow AirAsia to rapidly drive growth, perhaps even ramping up more frequencies in the future so that our guests can continue to enjoy our revolutionary low fares.”

He told reporters later that there is definitely a demand for a second flight to Trichy, adding that “it is a matter of whether we put another flight to Trichy or look at another Indian destination".

Trichy, which represents AirAsia’s entry into the India, is the fourth largest city in South India’s Tamil Nadu state. Sited on the banks of the sacred Cauvery River, the best time to visit Trichy is between October and February as you can enjoy cool weather.

Its most famous landmark is the Rockfort Temple, a spectacular monument perched on a massive rocky outcrop. It is one of the world’s oldest rock formations that rise abruptly from the plain to tower over the old city. You need to climb 437 steps to reach the temple.

Trichy, a thriving commercial centre in Tamil Nadu, is also famous for artificial diamonds, cigars, handloom cloths, glass bangles, wooden and clay toys.

AirAsia departs from the LCC Terminal (LCCT) in Sepang, Selangor at 7.40am and arrives at Trichy at 8.55am (local time). The return flight leaves Trichy at 9.25am (local time) to arrive at the LCCT at 3.40pm.

The airline had performances from local Indian dance troupes to welcome its maiden flight from Trichy to KL.

Among those present were the High Commissioner for India to Malaysia, His Excellency (HE) Ashok K Kantha, AirAsia deputy group CEO Dato’ Kamarudin Meranun, AirAsia regional head of commercial Kathleen Tan and Malaysia Airport Bhd’s officials.

Before the start of the event, a minute of silence was observed as a mark of respect for the innocent lives lost at the recent terrorists’ crisis in Mumbai.

HE Ashok said the terrorists underestimated the resilience and strength of Mumbai and that India will remain a land of great opportunities.

“The fight against terrorism is a global campaign that we do not stand alone.”

He also thanked Tony for keeping his promise by starting the Trichy route. Tony had said he would start the flights in 2008 when HE Ashok popped the question to him a year ago.

Tony, who was dressed in Indian attire (for the first time in a public function) together with his team to celebrate this new route, admitted he had not heard of Trichy until at a funeral.

With no market study, he said he sent two staff to Trichy who returned saying it was a great route.

“One phone call to HE and two days later we got the permit to fly (to Trichy),” said Tony, who has been advised not to do a celebration launch for its Trichy flight in India yet due to the Mumbai unrest.

“AirAsia will go ahead with Trichy’s launch in India in mid-December and would not be deterred by outside influences.”

Amid a looming global recession and the recent unrests in Mumbai and Bangkok, Tony said he was not worried about it.

His solution is, “Be positive and market aggressively. We have to be innovative and find new ways to stimulate travel. People still have to fly. Our job is to give them values.”

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