Bengaluru, Aug 20 (IANS): Indian-Malaysian budget airline AirAsia India on Thursday announced its CEO Mittu Chandilya will hold additional responsibility of managing director for India.

"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Mittu on being unanimously chosen by the AirAsia India board to become the managing director in addition to his current role as the CEO," said AirAsia India chairman S. Ramadorai in a statement.

Chandilya has also been appointed as the company's first full-time independent executive director.

"Mittu has done an exemplary job leading AirAsia India in a market where we have been challenged with headwinds at every turn. There is tremendous opportunity for growth and we are in an excellent position to capitalize on the opportunity with our strong brand and value proposition," said AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes.

Chennai-headquartered AirAsia India, which began operations on March 28, 2013, is 49 percent owned by Air Asia Berhard, 30 percent by Tata Sons and the stake is held by Telestra Tradeplaces's Arun Bhatia.