AirAsia India gets its first A320

BUDGET carrier AirAsia's Indian unit moved a step closer towards launching full-blown domestic operations in the country after AA-India received the first of its 10 new Airbus 320s at its Chennai hub earlier this week.

AA-India chief executive Mittu Chandilya said as much. "The arrival of our first A320 signifies that we are a step closer to our dream to create a new benchmark in the low-cost air travel category in India," a report in India's The Financial Express yesterday quoted him as saying.

It's been a hard-fought journey for the fledgling carrier. When AirAsia boss Tony Fernandes first teamed up with well-connected Indians such as the Tatas and millionaire realtor Arun Bhatia over a year ago to create AA-India, his plan was met with unyielding resistance.