AirAsia may get SOP for domestic services by January end

AirAsia India, a subsidiary of Malaysia-based no-frills carrier AirAsia, had applied for operator permit in September

AirAsia India is likely to receive the schedule operator permit (SOP), which will allow it to operate air services in the country, by next month, sources said.

"We are working on the airline's application (for SOP). In all likelihood, the carrier will have it in place by January end," sources at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) told PTI.

AirAsia India, which is the subsidiary of Malaysia-based no-frills carrier AirAsia, had applied to the DGCA in September for SOP, days after it received no objection certificate from the Civil Aviation Ministry.

The process of examining the application is almost over, sources said.

AirAsia owns 49% stake while Tata Sons owns 30% and Arun Bhatia of Telestra Tradeplace owns 21% in AirAsia India.

The carrier is aiming to commence operations from the first quarter of the next year with a fleet of three Airbus A-320 aircraft and over 200 employees, including pilots, engineers and ground staff.

It plans to induct at least 10 aircraft annually in its fleet.

The airline's investment proposal was cleared by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) in March.