Page 24 - AAA MARCH - APRIL 2015 Online Magazine

FEATURE AVIATION BUSINESS

Window of Opportunity

Global investors and international airlines are eyeing growing markets
By Jay Menon

THE FACT THAT AVIATION SECTOR IN domestic travel markets globally, in terms
India is bleeding has not deterred global of additional passengers per year.
investors and international airlines from The year 2014 saw two new airlines
entering the turbulent skies. The reason: taking off -- full-service carrier Vistara, a
they still see opportunities in this difficult joint venture between Singapore Airlines
market. and Tata Sons, and AirAsia India, launched
The huge growth potential due to the by Malaysian-based budget airline AirAsia
country’s growing middle class and low in association with Tata and Telestra
air travel penetration may have been Tradeplace.
prompting foreign operators to enter the “Indian aviation has enormous long-
market. Estimates indicate that India term growth potential and is expected
is expected to be among the top five air to produce tremendous upside for first
24 ASIAN AIRLINES & AIRPORTS MARCH / APRIL 2015 WWW.ASIANAIRLINES-AIRPORTS.COM