Launch of Air Asia in Bengaluru

Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus of The Tata Group (R) and Air Asia Group CEO Tony Fenandes with air hostesses during a press conference to celebrate the launch of Air Asia India in Bengaluru. "We will go places where no one goes. We are different animals. We want to fly more people and make flying more affordable and reduce the cost as much as possible because lower the cost of the ticket, greater the affordability," said Tony.

Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus of The Tata Group (R) and Air Asia Group CEO Tony Fenandes with TASL Chairman S. Ramadorai and Air Asia India CEO Mittu Chandilya during a press conference to celebrate the launch of Air Asia India in Bengaluru. Tony Fernandes officially announced the launch of Air Asia India's operations in India from Bangalore. The airline started its flight between Bangalore and Goa on June and Chennai on June 19. It will launch its services between Bangalore and Kochi from July 20, 2014.

Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus of The Tata Group (R) and Air Asia Group CEO Tony Fenandes shakes hands during a press conference to celebrate the launch of Air Asia India in Bengaluru. Speaking on the occasion, Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus of Tata Sons said, "The potential air travel in India is enormous. The base of the pyramid has not yet been tapped to the extent it should have been. I am convinced that there is preference for air travel and for a growing population, air travel is important for connectivity, leisure, business and as an essential service."

Air Asia Group CEO Tony Fenandes speaks during a press conference to celebrate the launch of Air Asia India in Bengaluru. Air Asia is about people. Doing things differently, he said adding that the company wants one billion of this country to fly and bust the myth that flying is only for the rich. "To make every Indian fly at affordable price, promote tourism and create jobs and market that just did not exist. Since, we launched on June 12, we have been having 90 per cent plane load factor. Our model is something people have been waiting for," Fernandes said.

Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus of The Tata Group (R) and Air Asia Group CEO Tony Fenandes during a press conference to celebrate the launch of Air Asia India in Bengaluru. Air Asia is going to be a game changer irrespective of the situation being conducive or not. It is a dream come true as we always wanted to be back in aviation business. I am happy we are able to launch our air service and make it within the reach of the common man," Tata added.