The low-budget carrier AirAsia India plans to expand its growing fleet with three more Airbus A320neo aircraft by 2021.
Despite the asperities caused by global pandemic, the low-budget airline AirAsia India plans its fleet expansion by adding three more Airbus A320neos.
“We will be inducting our third Airbus A320neo in December and we look forward to inducting our fourth and fifth A320neo by June 2021,” the spokesperson said in the statement, the India Times reported.
The airline’s fleet at present consists of 32 aircraft, including two Airbus A320neos inducted earlier in October and November 2020. The Bengaluru-based AirAsia India will have a total of five A320neo aircraft.
Following the news on AirAsia India fleet and network enlargement, the airline said it was projecting to increase its operational capacity up to 70% from 55% at present.
“We are soon planning to amp up our capacity to 70 per cent,” the statement said.
After the onset of global pandemic, domestic commercial flights in India were suspended for two months from March 25, 2020. Afterwards, when the spread of COVID-19 was controlled, India’ Civil Aviation Ministry had been proportionally increasing the allowance for airlines to operate.
Airlines were first allowed 45% of their capacity, then approximately 60% and lastly scaled up to 70% of the pre-covid capacity from November 11, 2020. Such measurements were implemented in order to foster gradual India’s aviation recovery.
After AirAsia Japan’s bankruptcy earlier in November 2020, AirAsia Group said it has been reviewing their investments in AirAsia India. Due to such inspections, there have been concerns about the AirAsia India possible bankruptcy.