Air Asia to Launch I-League team

AirAsia India CEO Mittu Chandilya said on Saturday that they will launch an ILeague team based out of Chennai after they are allowed to launch their airlines operations from the city. 

“It’s a big football plan. We have been having discussions with Praful Patel (AIFF chairman) and they have been supportive. But the team will only be launched after AirAsia India starts operations,” he said. 

AirAsia India is a low-fare airline based out of Chennai. The airline is expected to get Air Operating Permit (AOP) by the end of the month. “The launch will happen in six to eight weeks from now. There were a couple of changes in the aviation ministry department and then it got delayed. But it helped us get our finances in shape and analyse everything,” he said. 

AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes owns a stake in the London-based Queens Park Rangers FC. Consequently, the airline plans to rope in experts from QPR to aid the Chennaibased I-league team. “This team will be a little different. I want to concentrate on grassroots and put an academy in place,” the 32-year-old said. 

IMG Reliance is also planning a football league on the lines of the IPL. But the kick off is expected to happen only after September this year. Asked if AirAsia would be interested in ateam for IMG-R league as well, Chandilya said: “Honestly I don’t know much about that …Right now, we are interested in an I-league team.” 

Chandilya, who is also a tennis fan and motor-racing freak, said that the company is keen to invest in other sports as well. “I love cars. I have been part of a few TV shows talking on various automotives. If there is anything planned on tennis or motorsports, we will be interested. But not cricket, it’s saturated,” he said.

TOI