AirAsia to add 13 aircraft by 2015

AirAsia plans to add three more aircraft to its fleet this year and another 10 aircraft in 2015. The Indo-Malaysian low-cost carrier currently operates with just two aircraft.

"We will be adding three more Airbus A320s by the end of the year (2014) and another 10 Airbus A320s by the end of 2015," said Mittu Chandilya, CEO of AirAsia (India). This will take the total strength of its fleet to 15. All the aircraft being added are Airbus A320ceo (current engine option).

Chandilya said the aircraft used by the airline have 'sharklets', which reduce turbulence at the wing tips and, thereby, save fuel.

However, sharklets are effective only when an aircraft flies at least for two hours, he added. "Our schedules are tight," he noted.

While sources said AirAsia is set to announce two new routes next week, the airline refused to divulge the two cities it plans to connect. According sources, one of the two cities could be in eastern India.

Tata Sons has a 30 per cent stake in AirAsia, while Telestra Tradeplace has 21 per cent. The remaining 49 per cent is held by Air Asia Berhad.