The yet to be launched low-cost carrier AirAsia India has announced appointment of Ratan Tata as its chief advisor, and promised 'Nano' airfares once it begins operations.
Announcing Tata's name as the chief advisor, Malaysia-based AirAsia chief Tony Fernandes also said the name of chairman for AirAsia India will be disclosed soon. "Persuading Tata to be advisor has not been easy. Critical, we have someone of his massive experience to help me chart Airasia India with Mittu (Chandilya) and myself," Fernandes announced on micro-blogging site Twitter. Asked whether to expect 'Nano' price or cheapest air tickets from AirAsia India, Fernandes replied in affirmative: "Yes. It's all about low fares. And everyday."
Ratan Tata, retired as head of the $103-billion Tata group last December, was the main force behind the world's cheapest car Nano, initially priced at Rs 1 lakh. Welcoming Ratan Tata to the AirAsia family, Fernandes further said the chairman of the board is also "someone who has redefined many parts of India. A towering man who brings unbelievable experience to AirAsia India board".
Fernandes said the chairman's name would be announced either today itself or tomorrow."AirAsia India is shaping up brilliantly," he said, while adding that the company has got a 'super CEO', a good board and a great advisor who was "a legend in every sense".
AirAsia India, a joint venture between Air Asia, Tata group and Telstra Tradeplace, named Mittu Chandilya as CEO last month with an equity holding of 49:30:21 percent respectively. The announcement comes within a couple of days of aviation minister Ajit Singh saying that all the issues regarding AirAsia's India operations have been resolved. "All matters on AirAsia India have been resolved. The proposal has been sent to the Union Home Ministry for security clearance," he had said in London.
As for the organisational structure, there will be an independent director on the board who would also be the non-executive chairman. Tata Sons has nominated R Venkatraman, former executive assistant to Ratan Tata and Bharat Vasani, the chief legal counsel of the Tata Group, on the board. AirAsia will be represented by Tony Fernandes and Kamarudin Bin Meranun.
