Page 26 - AAA JULY - AUGUST 2014 Online Magazine
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FEATURE CLEAR SKIES
Waiting for Clear Skies
Getting a new airline in India is a tough task By A. K. Chandra
india’s growing domesTic and to AirAsia India are reflective of the
international passenger traffic makes unpredictability and lack of transparency
for an exciting prospect for airlines in the in India’s regulatory framework, which
region. Testament to this, is the launch continues to be the greatest strategic
of two strongly backed airlines this challenge in the market.” says CAPA -
year in Air Asia India, which has already Centre for Aviation.
begun domestic operations and Tata SIA Air Asia India also had to contend with
Airlines, which is to begin flights later this rival airlines putting up a united front to
year. However, getting a new airline on the delay beginning its operations in India
ground in India and then take to the air, is and Indian low cost carriers slashing
a tough task that calls for some serious airfares repeatedly. Coming together to
commitment to enter this market. form the Federation of Indian Airlines
Air Asia India which began its Indian (FIA), IndiGo, SpiceJet, Jet Airways and
operations on June 12th is a textbook GoAir, asked aviation regulator, the
Air Asia India managed to case of what airlines looking to enter Directorate General of Civil Aviation
surprise rivals by obtaining the Indian market will have to face. (DGCA) not to allow commencement of
approvals and beginning “Diversion from the standard process… domestic flights in India, stating that
operations this June extended delays in the award of a licence “It is our request that the government
26 ASIAN AIRLINES & AIRPORTS JULY / AUGUST 2014 WWW.ASIANAIRLINES-AIRPORTS.COM
