AirAsia, on Wednesday, named Chennai-born Mittu Chandilya as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of its Indian operations.
AirAsia India (Private) Ltd., a joint venture between Air Asia, Tata Sons and Telstra, will start a low cost airline in India by the year-end with Chennai as its hub. Mr. Chandilya will assume office effective June 1, 2013.
“I am extremely pleased….I am confident that Mittu will provide the leadership and bring to bear his entrepreneurial skills in successfully growing this new airline in the Indian aviation space." Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons Ltd., said in a statement. Mr. Chandilya previously worked at Singapore-based consultancy firm Egon Zehnder. He was heading the travel and hospitality segment, where his primary focus was airlines and aviation.
“India is an important market for us, and a CEO of Mittu’s stature and business acumen would definitely help us attain significant market share and achieve rapid growth in India,” said Tony Fernandes, Group Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia.
Accepting the appointment, in a statement, Mr. Chandilya said: “ I am looking forward to bringing a whole new meaning to the word ‘flying’ to consumers in India.”
