Firstpost
  • Home
  • Video Shows
    Vantage Firstpost America Firstpost Africa First Sports
  • World
    US News
  • Explainers
  • News
    India Opinion Cricket Tech Entertainment Sports Health Photostories
  • Asia Cup 2025
Apple Incorporated Modi ji Justin Trudeau Trending

Sections

  • Home
  • Live TV
  • Videos
  • Shows
  • World
  • India
  • Explainers
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Cricket
  • Health
  • Tech/Auto
  • Entertainment
  • Web Stories
  • Business
  • Impact Shorts

Shows

  • Vantage
  • Firstpost America
  • Firstpost Africa
  • First Sports
  • Fast and Factual
  • Between The Lines
  • Flashback
  • Live TV

Events

  • Raisina Dialogue
  • Independence Day
  • Champions Trophy
  • Delhi Elections 2025
  • Budget 2025
  • US Elections 2024
  • Firstpost Defence Summit
Trending:
  • Charlie Kirk shot dead
  • Nepal protests
  • Russia-Poland tension
  • Israeli strikes in Qatar
  • Larry Ellison
  • Apple event
  • Sunjay Kapur inheritance row
fp-logo
Air Asia denies 'wrongdoing'; CBI case may trigger calls for cancellation of operator's India licence, feel experts
Whatsapp Facebook Twitter
Whatsapp Facebook Twitter
Apple Incorporated Modi ji Justin Trudeau Trending

Sections

  • Home
  • Live TV
  • Videos
  • Shows
  • World
  • India
  • Explainers
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Cricket
  • Health
  • Tech/Auto
  • Entertainment
  • Web Stories
  • Business
  • Impact Shorts

Shows

  • Vantage
  • Firstpost America
  • Firstpost Africa
  • First Sports
  • Fast and Factual
  • Between The Lines
  • Flashback
  • Live TV

Events

  • Raisina Dialogue
  • Independence Day
  • Champions Trophy
  • Delhi Elections 2025
  • Budget 2025
  • US Elections 2024
  • Firstpost Defence Summit

Air Asia denies 'wrongdoing'; CBI case may trigger calls for cancellation of operator's India licence, feel experts

Press Trust of India • May 30, 2018, 13:16:37 IST
Whatsapp Facebook Twitter

AirAsia India, where Tatas have 51 percent stake, began operations in 2014.

Advertisement
Subscribe Join Us
Choose
Firstpost on Google
Choose
Firstpost on Google
Air Asia denies 'wrongdoing'; CBI case may trigger calls for cancellation of operator's India licence, feel experts

New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case of alleged efforts by AirAsia India and its senior officials to manipulate government policies might trigger calls from established carriers for cancellation of Tatas’ majority-owned budget airline’s licence and sharpen the divide in the domestic aviation space, according to industry experts. With the CBI registering a case against AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes and other officials for allegedly trying to manipulate government policies through corrupt means to get international licence brings the spot light on the erstwhile ‘5/20 norm’. The norm – which required local airlines to be in operation for at least five years and a minimum fleet of 20 planes in order to start overseas operations – was done away with in 2016. Now, only the fleet requirement of 20 aircraft is in force, making it easier for new players such as AirAsia India and Vistara to commence international flights, experts said. Against this backdrop, experts also opined that the CBI case would make things difficult for AirAsia India to start overseas operations. At present, the airline – a joint venture between Tatas and Malaysia’s AirAsia Berhad – has 18 aircraft and is in the process of firming up international plans. A senior aviation industry analyst told PTI that the CBI case is definitely a set back for AirAsia India and would have an impact on its proposed international operations also. “There could be a demand for suspension or cancellations of the airline’s licence as well from the Federation of Indian Airlines. which had been opposed to any tinkering in the now amended 5/20 norm,” the expert said on condition of anonymity. [caption id=“attachment_4488173” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] ![Air Asia. AP photo](https://images.firstpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/airasia_india_ap1.jpg) Air Asia. AP photo[/caption] The Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) is a grouping of four established airlines – Jet Airways, SpiceJet, GoAir and IndiGo. It had opposed amending the 5/20 rule. FIA could not be immediately contacted for comments on the AirAsia case. Besides Fernandes, the CBI has named AirAsia India director R Venkataramanan and AirAsia Berhad’s former deputy CEO Tharumalingam Kanagalingam, among others, as accused in the case. Venkataramanan is also the managing trustee of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and is responsible for management and oversight of all the Tata Trusts, as per Tata Trusts website. The CBI has alleged that Venkataramanan was lobbying in the government to secure mandatory approvals, some of them through “non-transparent means”, including the then Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance, no-objection certificate and the attempt for removal or modification of 5/20 rule. “The case has been registered under 120-B (criminal conspiracy) under the IPC and sections 13(2) read with 13 (1) (d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The searches took place at five locations in Delhi NCR, Mumbai and Bengaluru,” CBI spokesperson R K Gaur said on Tuesday.

In a statement, Air Asia India refuted any wrong-doing and is co-operating with all regulators and agencies to present the correct facts.

“In November, 2016 AirAsia India Ltd had initiated criminal charges against its ex-CEO and had also commenced civil proceedings in Bengaluru for such irregularities. We hope to bring early resolution to all such issues,“Air Asia India Director Shuva Mandal said. AirAsia India, where Tatas have 51 percent stake, began operations in 2014. “Air Asia scam will expose the fraud of the UPA Govt. I am happy Namo did not allow anyone to block CBI and the CBI Director Alok Vermas steady hand as well as Jt Director A K Sharma diligence that this scam has been exposed,” senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy said in a tweet. In 2013, Swamy has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against approvals for AirAsia India venture.

Tags
Jet Airways NewsTracker Aviation SpiceJet GoAir IndiGo Air Asia Federation of Indian Airlines Air Asia India Tata Trusts AirAsia Berhad Vistara Sir Dorabji Tata Trust Subramanian Swam FIPB clearance
  • Home
  • Business
  • Air Asia denies 'wrongdoing'; CBI case may trigger calls for cancellation of operator's India licence, feel experts
End of Article
Latest News
Find us on YouTube
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Business
  • Air Asia denies 'wrongdoing'; CBI case may trigger calls for cancellation of operator's India licence, feel experts
End of Article

Top Stories

US ready to ‘impose costs’ on Russia if war in Ukraine drags on, says Hegseth

US ready to ‘impose costs’ on Russia if war in Ukraine drags on, says Hegseth

US tells Hamas to stop violence against Gaza civilians and disarm 'without delay'

US tells Hamas to stop violence against Gaza civilians and disarm 'without delay'

China seizes 60,000 maps mislabelling Taiwan, omitting South China Sea islands

China seizes 60,000 maps mislabelling Taiwan, omitting South China Sea islands

Syria’s Sharaa pledges to honor Russia ties, seeks economic and military support in Kremlin visit

Syria’s Sharaa pledges to honor Russia ties, seeks economic and military support in Kremlin visit

US ready to ‘impose costs’ on Russia if war in Ukraine drags on, says Hegseth

US ready to ‘impose costs’ on Russia if war in Ukraine drags on, says Hegseth

US tells Hamas to stop violence against Gaza civilians and disarm 'without delay'

US tells Hamas to stop violence against Gaza civilians and disarm 'without delay'

China seizes 60,000 maps mislabelling Taiwan, omitting South China Sea islands

China seizes 60,000 maps mislabelling Taiwan, omitting South China Sea islands

Syria’s Sharaa pledges to honor Russia ties, seeks economic and military support in Kremlin visit

Syria’s Sharaa pledges to honor Russia ties, seeks economic and military support in Kremlin visit

Top Shows

Vantage Firstpost America Firstpost Africa First Sports
Enjoying the news?

Get the latest stories delivered straight to your inbox.

Subscribe
Latest News About Firstpost
Most Searched Categories
  • Web Stories
  • World
  • India
  • Explainers
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Cricket
  • Tech/Auto
  • Entertainment
  • IPL 2025
NETWORK18 SITES
  • News18
  • Money Control
  • CNBC TV18
  • Forbes India
  • Advertise with us
  • Sitemap
Firstpost Logo

is on YouTube

Subscribe Now

Copyright @ 2024. Firstpost - All Rights Reserved

About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Cookie Policy Terms Of Use
Home Video Shorts Live TV