AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes Mulls Bringing Other Businesses To India

AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes is planning to bring his other businesses to India. His plans include making Bangalore an international aviation hub, forging a tie-up between his budget-hotel unit and that of the Tatas and selling expensive sports cars in India.

"Bangalore could be another Dubai for AirAsia. I can bring tons of South east Asians over to Bangalore, change from Bangalore and go to London and Africa. There are tons of Southeast Asians who want to come to India," he said.

On February 19, 2013, AirAsia announced its plans for an Indian airline through a tripartite joint venture with Tata Sons and private investor Arun Bhatia, who owns Telestra Tradeplace.

Following the announcement, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy filed a court case against the proposal. Swamy claimed the foreign direct investment (FDI) policy applied only for the existing carriers and not the new ventures. “The court case is preposterous as far as I am concerned. The Indian government made a rule (to allow FDI from foreign carriers). Then the government interpreted its own rule. Then it says 'That's not what we meant.' So it's rubbish!" Tony said.

"Swamy is a politician. I am not. But I think politicians should look at both sides of the story and put people first," he added.

Fernandes said the key lesson he has learnt in the last one-and-half year is perseverance. Just a few days ago, he had openly blasted his detractors through Twitter. "Don't give up easily. Don't get intimidated. I have learnt that the competitors (airlines in India) are old-fashioned monopolists. They want to protect their turf at all possible costs. I have never seen this before," he said.