AirAsia to take off in Indian skies by February

http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/airasia-to-take-offindian-skies-by-february_1007206.html

AirAsia's launch, which was supposed to take place in January has been delayed by a month as the Malaysian airline has been awaiting operator's permit from aviation regulator, DGCA.
The aviation ministry has allowed AirAsia to import aircraft, but the launch has been delayed by a month - the carrier will now take to the Indian skies by February next year, reports CNBC-TV18’s Shereen Bhan.

 AirAsia has now managed to get a no objection certificate (NOC) from civil aviation ministry for the acquisition of aircrafts, which means the Malaysian airline can start the process of importing aircraft into India. But even that process is going to be closely linked to AirAsia getting air operator's permit, as AirAsia is not keen to get the aircraft into India and have them sitting on the ground unless they have a license to fly. Both these issues will be linked closely to each other, but at least it is one step forward. They can start the process of acquisition of aircraft. In Phase-I, they are looking at getting in four aircrafts. They may stagger them, they may get two first and two later and then eventually the plan is to actually get an aircraft in a month. As far as the launch is concerned, they are still pending clearance as far as the directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) is concerned, the air operating permit has not come in and so, the earlier launch date was the end of 2013, but that has now been pushed. According to sources, earlier deadline of January is likely to be missed and now they are working with end of February, but all of this depends on by when the regulatory clearances come in. As of now, AirAsia is hoping to launch in India by February end, so it is one step forward, but not really more certain in terms of being able to kick-start in India as yet.