TATA STEEL’S BHASKARAN NAMED CEO OF AIRASIA INDIA

MUMBAI: Low-fare airline Airasia on Wednesday named Sunil Bhaskaran, vice-president, corporate services at Tata Steel Ltd, as its new managing director and chief executive officer, in place of former managing director (MD) and chief execucitve officer (CEO) Amar Abrol who returned to its Malaysian parent in May.

Bhaskaran will take up the role with effect from 15 November and oversee the next phase of expansion and growth, Airasia (India) Ltd, a joint venture between Tata Sons and Malaysia’s Airasia Group Bhd said in a statement.

Meanwhile, business news channel quoting unnamed officials, reported that Air Asia India’s chairman, S. Ramadorai, will be replaced by Tata Sons president, infrastructure, defence and aerospace, Banmali Agrawala, while Airasia Group chief executive Tony Fernandes and deputy group chief executive Bo Lingam, have also stepped down from the Airasia India board.

couldn’t independently verify this. The report added that Airasia India is likely to undergo a leadership reshuffle under Agrawala.

“We are delighted to welcome Mr Bhaskaran as the new CEO and MD of Airasia India. With India’s aviation sector growing at a rapid pace, we are confident his extensive experience, ability to drive performance and work seamlessly with all stakeholders will be a great asset for Airasia India,” said Ramadorai.

The Tata group did not offer comments on the issue.

Agrawala also did not offer any comments.