Chennai, Mar 23 (IExpress) : Close to its proposed April launch, Malaysia-based low cost carrier, Air-Asia that has already stirred up the Indian civil aviation market, on Saturday landed its first Airbus-A 320 at the Chennai International Airport.

This also marks the re-entry of salt to software conglomerate Tata’s into the Indian aviation sector.  AirAsia India is a joint venture between AirAsia Group, Tata Sons and Telestra Tradeplace.

The Airbus A320, which has a seating  capacity of 150 passengers in a two-class cabin – or up to 180 in a high-density layout for low-cost  or charter flightslanded at 9.25 am here from its factory at Toulouse, France. The aircraft that landed Saturday is configured in an all economy layout with 180 seats.

The plane was given a traditional a water cannon salute as it taxied on the runway, the company statement said.

At present, AirAsia India is awaiting AOP (air operator’s permit) to start flying commercially, it said.

“AirAsia India family takes immense pride in welcoming home its first aircraft which has just rolled of the manufacturing line from Toulouse,” AirAsia India, chief executive officer, Mittu Chandilya said.

“The arrival of our first A320 signifies that we are a step closer to our dream to create a new benchmark in the low-cost air travel category,” he said.

AirAsia India’s fleet will be drawn from the A320 family aircraft ordered by the AirAsia Group.

To date, almost a third of the aircraft on order have already been delivered and are flying on AirAsia Group’s operations out of Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Jakarta, Manila and now Chennai, it said.