TEAM HERALD

 

DABOLIM: Tony Fernandes’ dream of connecting with the land of his father came true on Thursday when his airline AirAsia India the maiden flight landed at Dabolim airport from Bengaluru just after 4 pm. The inaugural flight I5 1320 landed with its full capacity of 180 passengers.

The first of its kind budget airline in India is expected to play to its strength of short routes that do not take more than an hour to traverse.

CEO Mittu Chandilya said the airline would make Goa a hub for its operations which followed the ‘point to point’ operating style. This would happen when the airline starts parking its aircrafts overnight at the Dabolim airport which is expected to happen sometime later in the year. The airline which presently has one aircraft will operate this flight everyday and is expected to extend its operations to Cochin shortly. The fleet will be increased to six by the end of this year and will comprise Airbus 320 aircrafts.

Speaking to Herald, Kiran S P, a passenger from Bengaluru, said he had a pleasant journey and the facilities are much better than other domestic flights.

Another passenger, Sethukarasi from Chennai too expressed similar views. “I had a comfortable journey and the services are much better than other domestic flights in which I have travelled earlier.”

AirAsia CEO Mittu Chandilya said they would operate flights daily from Bengaluru to Goa. “AirAsia will also operate from other destinations in India,” Chandilya told Herald.

When it was sought to know why they chose Goa as the hub for AirAsia, Chandilya said Goa is a tourist destination and has a good airport, infrastructure and a cooperative government.When asked whether AirAsia will continue the services that are being appreciated by the passengers on their maiden flight, he said he would never compromise on cleanliness, food and other services on board the flight.

"Passengers will continue to get the same service as they got on their very first journey from Bengaluru to Goa. During the calendar year, we will add six more flights and at the end of the financial year, the number of flights will increase to 14,” Chandilya informed.

When asked whether they would be able to retain the same fares, Chandilya said the airline will come out with more offers and he will keep some seats for Rs 990. “The rates of the tickets of AirAsia will not cross the Rs 3,000 mark,” he added.