UDAN international plan under a cloud as AirAsia India fails to get permit

CBI case prompts the authorities to bar low-cost airline from proceeding on bids it won for regional air connectivity project

Tata group-owned AirAsia India’s inability to get approval for international flights is hurting UDAN, the Indian government’s regional air connectivity project that also aims to link cities in Northeast India and Odisha to places abroad.

Sources said the civil aviation ministry is waiting for the low-cost airline to come under the full ownership of Tata Sons and become part of Air India, the former state-owned carrier now owned by the private conglomerate, before allowing it to operate international flights. Tata owns 84 per cent stake in AirAsia India and it is understood that the group will complete the process