AirAsia India is soon expected to receive a permit for operating international flights. With this development, Tata Sons will end up with multiple airlines with the power to fly internationally. This will include Vistara, Air India, Air India Express, and now AirAsia India. According to an IANS report, AirAsia India has already received security clearance for operating international flights. However, there are a lot more procedures that will have to be completed before AirAsia India can start operating international flights. It might take another six months for all the procedures to be fulfilled.
Ongoing Pandemic Will Hurt AirAsia India’s Capability of Operating International Flights
It is worth noting that all the international flights operating today are under air bubble agreements. None of the airlines is allowed to operate regular international flights. Further, the government has said that there won’t be any relaxation in the allowance of regular international flights any time soon. If needed, the air bubble agreement can be expanded.
Thus, even if AirAsia India is able to receive permits for flying international flights in the next months, it will still take a lot of time for the airline to actually commence international operations. However, Tata Sons would be in no rush either for AirAsia India to start competing in the International market.
Vistara and Air India are already flying to different countries and it might be enough for the Indian conglomerate for now. Tata Sons subsidiary Talace will purchase the two airlines - Air India and Air India Express once the share purchase agreement (SPA) is over.
