AirAsia CEO not happy with PM Modi
The aircraft has been christened as ‘The Pioneer’
Hyderabad: AirAsia Group chief executive officer Tony Fernandes has expressed his disappointment with the Narendra Modi government as he feels that nothing much has been done to open up India’s huge aviation market. “India has a huge aviation market. Although it was hoped that with Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi (coming to power) India will become more open, but it has not happened,” Mr Fernandes said at a select media briefing on Saturday.
Earlier in the day, Mr Fernandes and Tata Group chairman emeritus Ratan Tata had unveiled the 4th AirAsia India’s aircraft, with a livery dedicated to JRD Tata, at the Shamshabad airport in Hyderabad. The aircraft has been christened as ‘The Pioneer’.
Mr Fernandes also criticised India’s new aviation policy and said that rules like 5-by-20 are a disappointment as the policy is very complex and does not facilitate new players to come. According to this, a domestic airline need to have operated for five years or must have a fleet of 20 aircraft to operate overseas flights. “Indian people must be put first, before those who just lobby to protect their own bottom line as opposed to competing. The government should in fact facilitate business and make it easy,” said Mr Fernandes