Vested interests trying to jeopardise AirAsia India: Tatas

The Tatas are a partner in the new low-cost carrier with Malaysia's AirAsia

Hours after AirAsia India launched its maiden flight, Tata Sons, a stakeholder in the carrier, today accused "vested interests, inimical to free and fair competition" of "spreading canards to jeopardise the operations".

The Tatas, a partner in the new low-cost carrier with Malaysia's AirAsia and Arun Bhatia's Telestra Tradeplace, came out with a strong reaction to BJP leader Subramanian Swamy's charges against AirAsia India, terming them as "misleading".

"Vested interests, inimical to free and fair competition that can benefit air travellers, are spreading canards to jeopardise the operations of AirAsia India," Tata Sons said in a statement.

Asserting that AirAsia India had received all permissions from the government and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to launch operations, it said: "Despite various applications made, amongst others, by Dr Swamy, no injunctions have been ordered by any court restraining AirAsia India from commencing its operations."

The Delhi High Court is seized of the matter and AirAsia India and Tata Sons shall honour the ruling of the court, it added.

AirAsia India today became the country's fourth budget carrier to start operations, with its first flight taking off from Bangalore's Kempegowda International Airport for Goa.

The carrier was granted a flying licence by aviation regulator DGCA last month, after a nine-month-long wait and various legal hurdles.

Swamy had written to the Election Commission, the DGCA and the Civil Aviation Ministry not to grant a license to AirAisa India on the grounds that the matter was being dealt with by the courts and it would "constitute criminal misconduct".

Tata Sons said the entry of new airlines such as AirAsia India will immensely benefit consumers, making air travel more affordable.