AirAsia India today announced that Amar Abrol will succeed Mittu Chandilya as the CEO of AirAsia India, with effect from April 1, 2016. Mr. Chandilya’s contract ends March 31, 2016 but he will continue with the company until the end of April to ensure a smooth transition of the CEO role.
Chandilya has led AirAsia India from June 1, 2013 and under his leadership, the airline has established a fleet of six aircraft, covering 12 routes and carrying over 1.8 million passengers. In the most recent quarter of operation, October-December 2015, AirAsia India clocked a 134% growth in passenger traffic as it flew over half-a-million customers, and operated 3,376 flights as compared to 1,444 flights in the same period of 2014.
There had been talks in the aviation industry that the decision-making process in AirAsia was almost bureaucratic and slow, preventing the airline’s management in India to make significant changes for last 20 months after starting operations in India. Chandilya’s resignation was also expected by many experts.
Commenting on the appointment, . S. Ramadorai, Chairman of AirAsia India said, “Mittu Chandilya led the airline team from the front through its launch and establishment in an intensely competitive market. The Board deeply appreciates his contribution. In Amar Abrol, we have a strong successor, with years of experience in customer delivery, which will be critical to the airline’s future. Together with his senior management team, we are confident that Amar will lead AirAsia India into its next stage of growth.”
Khanna joins from Air France/KLM, where he most recently held the position of Regional Finance Head for the Middle East/Gulf region based in Dubai. Ms. Jain has over 25 years of aviation related experience covering airports, airlines and duty free. Ms. Jain most recently headed the Airport Marketing and Route Development function at Delhi International Airport.
Chandilya said, “The past three years has been a rewarding and enriching journey for me and AirAsia India. I am delighted that AirAsia India is today a customer-preferred airline in the sectors that it operates. I will truly miss each member in our young organization without whose passion and energy none of this would be possible.”
In other management announcements today, AirAsia India also announced the appointment of Ankur Khanna as the Chief Financial Officer and Ms. Kiran Jain as the Head of Commercial.
— Press Release Watch (@PrReleaseWatch) March 17, 2016
Chandilya has led AirAsia India from June 1, 2013 and under his leadership, the airline has established a fleet of six aircraft, covering 12 routes and carrying over 1.8 million passengers. In the most recent quarter of operation, October-December 2015, AirAsia India clocked a 134% growth in passenger traffic as it flew over half-a-million customers, and operated 3,376 flights as compared to 1,444 flights in the same period of 2014.
There had been talks in the aviation industry that the decision-making process in AirAsia was almost bureaucratic and slow, preventing the airline’s management in India to make significant changes for last 20 months after starting operations in India. Chandilya’s resignation was also expected by many experts.
Commenting on the appointment, . S. Ramadorai, Chairman of AirAsia India said, “Mittu Chandilya led the airline team from the front through its launch and establishment in an intensely competitive market. The Board deeply appreciates his contribution. In Amar Abrol, we have a strong successor, with years of experience in customer delivery, which will be critical to the airline’s future. Together with his senior management team, we are confident that Amar will lead AirAsia India into its next stage of growth.”
Khanna joins from Air France/KLM, where he most recently held the position of Regional Finance Head for the Middle East/Gulf region based in Dubai. Ms. Jain has over 25 years of aviation related experience covering airports, airlines and duty free. Ms. Jain most recently headed the Airport Marketing and Route Development function at Delhi International Airport.
Chandilya said, “The past three years has been a rewarding and enriching journey for me and AirAsia India. I am delighted that AirAsia India is today a customer-preferred airline in the sectors that it operates. I will truly miss each member in our young organization without whose passion and energy none of this would be possible.”
In other management announcements today, AirAsia India also announced the appointment of Ankur Khanna as the Chief Financial Officer and Ms. Kiran Jain as the Head of Commercial.
