NEW DELHI: Low-cost carrier AirAsia India said it has expanded its manpower by over 50 per cent from 650 odd people to about 1,050 since March, 2016, as the airline is increasing its fleet size and gears up to fly overseas.
AirAsia India CEO and MD Amar Abrol said the existing workforce not only meets the current need but will also cater to future demand. :We grew from 650 odd people to about 1,050 since March 2016. It covers about 12 aircraft from cabin crew and engineer’s perspective and about 10-11 aircraft from the pilot’s perspective," said Abrol.
AirAsia India, is a joint venture between Tata Sons and Malaysian airline group AirAsia. It currently has a fleet size of eight Airbus A320 planes and operates 58 flights per day to 13 domestic airports with bases at Delhi and Bengaluru.
AirAsia India has opened two new routes (Srinagar and Bagdogra from Delhi last month) and is also setting up Kolkata as its third base where it plans to station three planes. There are also plans to connect the northeastern region with Kolkata and then potentially connect eastern region with the western region, says Abrol.
Abrol also said that the airline plans to induct six more aircraft by December this year, while another six aircraft are expected to be added to the fleet by the middle of next year.
"We will expand from the current eight planes to fourteen by October depending on the business performance," he added. Once the airline has 20 aircraft in its fleet it will qualify to fly international as per the regulations.
AirAsia India also plans to induct the latest single-aisle aircraft from Airbus, the A 320 Neo, in its fleet next year. Asserting that AirAsia India will fly overseas most likely from the second half of the next calendar year, Abrol said adding that there a lot of ground work is required before flying abroad.