AirAsia exits AirAsia India, sells 16.33% stake to Air India for Rs 156 cr

Malaysian carrier's India foray ends after eight years; Tatas are working to merge AirAsia India with low-cost service Air India Express

Ending its uncomfortable journey in India after eight years, Malaysia-based AirAsia Group on Wednesday said it has exited AirAsia India by selling its remaining 16.67 per cent stake to Tata Group-owned Air India for Rs 155.64 crore.

Later in the day, Air India said it has begun the process of creating a single low-cost carrier subsidiary by merging AirAsia India and Air India Express. A working group consisting AirAsia India CEO Sunil Bhaskaran and Air India Express CEO Aloke Singh has been formed for the two carriers' integration, which is expected to take approximately 12 months, it added.

Meanwhile, AirAsia