AirAsia, one of the leading no-frills airlines, plans to expand its presence in India.

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It plans to add four direct flights connecting Bangkok with Kolkata, New Delhi, Amritsar and Mumbai from May this year.

“New Delhi and Mumbai sectors will be serviced by Air Asia X, low cost long haul carrier via new Airbus A330, while Amritsar and Kolkata will be serviced by AirAsia, low cost short haul airline by Airbus A320 aircrafts,” Kathleen Tan, head, (regional head - commercial), AirAsia, told reporters in Mumbai on Tuesday.

Earlier in January, the airline launched six direct flights to key metro cities including Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi from Kuala Lumpur and from Penang to Chennai. At present, AirAsia operates 148 flights per week from India and after commencement of four flights to Bangkok, the number of flights operated out of India would be 156 flights per week.

AirAsia, which is following the model followed by Jetstar Airways, Ryan Air, Tiger Airways and Southwest airlines, to charge extra for baggage, is also looking to generate revenue from charging extra for food, assigned seating, hotel bookings and car booking from passengers. “We will be giving between 30-50 per cent discount to passenger booking ticket on our airline,” Tan said.

The baggage charges on an AirAsia X flight ranges from Rs 450 to Rs 1,800 for 15 kg to 30 kg, which can be paid by the passenger while booking the ticket on the airline. For AirAsia flight, the charges range from Rs 290 to Rs 724 for baggage weighing 15 kg to 30 kg.

She further said that the airline would be offering direct debit facility to Indian passengers booking through ICICI Bank and State Bank of India debit cards from next month. “We will also accept bookings done by Indian passengers using Mastercard, Visa card and American Express cards shortly,” Tan added.

The airline is also mulling to set up company-owned direct channel for marketing and sales in India. AirAsia, which operates flights with average of 70 per cent to 75 per cent load factor on all Indian routes is expecting more than 80 per cent occupancy on the back of attractive pricing, as compared to full service carrier operating out of the country. It will be offering fares starting at Rs 4500 one-way from Mumbai to Bangkok.