Nicholas Ionides / Paris
Air India is standing behind its growth plans for low-cost unit Air India Express after the subsidiary recorded a profit in its first year of operation.
Chairman and managing director of Air India, V Thulasidas, said at IATA’s annual general meeting in Paris that the no-frills international carrier has been a success to date and it will continue growing.
“We have had loads over 90% in Air India Express and in the very first year it has given us a small profit,” says Thulasidas.
Air India Express launched services in April last year between points in India and destinations in the Middle East. Its fleet comprises five leased Boeing 737-800s and it has 18 purchased examples on direct order with the manufacturer in addition to more lease commitments.
The carrier plans to continue focusing primarily on serving the Middle East market but there are also plans for it to serve destinations in Southeast Asia.
Source: Airline Business
