Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia is expected to operate in smaller cities and avoid the Mumbai-Delhi route when it starts flying in India. 

 

As per media reports, the Tony Fernandes-run airline will avoid the Delhi-Mumbai route as it entails higher airport landing charges. It will, however, also focus on metro cities in south India.  

 

"We will avoid certain airports like Delhi and Mumbai because of high charges and also because these airports are slot constrained. We will stimulate the market first with low-cost structure and later as the airports are being developed, we would also look at these newer markets. India is a huge country and we are confident that we will succeed," Fernandes had said on February 21.

 

The idea is to keep operating costs low and tap the demand for air travel in the smaller towns and cities, an official from the airline was quoted as saying.

 

AirAsia may also offer fares as low as Rs 1,000 when it begins operations in India. It may start fares at Rs 999 for flyers who book months in advance, the report said.