Air India launches budget airline

Air India has embarked on its biggest fleet expansion project to purchase 68 aircraft at an estimated cost of Rs 30,000 crore in the next four to five years, and would operate low-cost services to more international  destinations. This was announced by Air India CMD V Thulasidas while speaking to reporters after launching the airline's budget service to the Gulf sector.

"Our plans for purchasing 68 aircraft are in the final stages. This is the biggest-ever fleet expansion to be carried out in four-five years," Thulasidas said.

A fully-owned subsidiary of Air India, the low-cost airline would commence operations with an inaugural flight from Thiruvananthapuram to Abu Dhabi. There would also be services from New Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi and Kozhikode, Thulasidas said.

"The airline also plans to start budget flight to South East Asian destinations like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok," he added.