AirAsia India's First A320 to Leave Toulouse Today for Chennai

The first AirAsia India Airbus A320 was expected to arrive at Chennai the following morning, a landmark for Indian regional aviation. With the aircraft in the country, the airline could tackle the last hurdle before its Air Operator Permit: route proving flights.

The ferry flight

Sources in Toulouse confirmed that VT-ATF, AirAsia India's first A320, would leave Toulouse on the evening of 12 March 2014 and reach Chennai at 09:30 local time on 13 March. AirAsia's flight crew were already in Toulouse. The timing matched an earlier estimate by The Flying Engineer of when the aircraft would be delivered.

The great circle distance between Toulouse (LFBO) and Chennai (VOMM) is 4,390 nautical miles. The ferry flight was planned with one stop, at Esenboga International Airport in Ankara, Turkey (LTAC).

The aircraft

VT-ATF is an A320-216SL. That means an A320 airframe powered by CFM56-5B6 engines and fitted with Sharklets, the Airbus name for its large wingtip devices. Each CFM56-5B6 delivers 23,500 pounds of thrust, about 100 kN.

For comparison, GoAir flew the A320-214SL. Its CFM56-5B4 engines cost more but deliver 27,000 pounds of thrust each, about 120 kN, which allows a higher maximum take off weight.

What the aircraft unlocks

With an aircraft on hand, AirAsia India could complete its last formality, the route proving flights. These are real flights with no paying passengers, flown from the airline's base to one or more of its planned destinations. Their purpose is to show the DGCA that the airline can handle operations smoothly and meet all requirements. If the regulator is satisfied, the Air Operator Permit follows and the airline can start flying.

At the time, AirAsia India was expected to begin commercial operations in May 2014.