AirAsia India plans to start its Calcutta operations next year and will approach the airport authorities to find out whether it could function from the old terminals, the CEO of the low-cost airline, Amar Abrol, said on Friday.

"We'll approach the authorities of Calcutta airport on whether the old terminal buildings can be used for low-cost airlines," Abrol told Metro at Tourist Spot, a travel and tourism fair presented by Air Asia in association with Anandabazar Patrika at Swabhumi.

In Malaysia, AirAsia Berhad, which owns 49 per cent stake in AirAsia India, operates from Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLI2) terminal, a low-cost facility.

"Calcutta is on the cards and we are making efforts to start operations (from Calcutta) next year. Calcutta is the gateway to the east and has a lot of potential," Abrol said. "We have plans to connect the city to various regions in the country - west, north and south."

Airport officials said dedicated low-cost terminals, in vogue in several countries, need the Airports Authority of India (AAI)'s permission to be set up there.

Calcutta's old domestic and international terminals have not been used for regular flight operations since the new integrated terminal was unveiled in March 2013.

"The old domestic terminal has four aerobridges and we have plans to expand a corridor from the new terminal so passengers can use the aerobridges," airport director Atul Dixit said.

"The AAI's permission is required to use the facility exclusively for low-cost airlines."

Conventionally, a low-cost terminal has fewer retail, food and beverage options and less signage. Some such terminals lack aerobridges.

AirAsia India now has six aircraft, all Airbus 320, and is in the process of procuring two more. "Our 21st aircraft can be used for international operations," said Abrol, who clarified that the airline would now focus on boosting its domestic network.

India's new civil aviation policy has removed the condition that an airline has to fly on domestic routes for at least five years before it is allowed to launch international operations. Another condition for flying abroad - an airline has to have at least 20 aircraft - remains.

An Airbus 320, Abrol pointed out, can fly four-and-a-half hours without stopping. "If we start international operations from Calcutta, the destinations should be within that distance," he said.

AirAsia India will approach Bengal and other state governments for partnership after reviewing the new aviation policy. "We would like to partner with the state (Bengal) tourism department and work closely with them in carrying inbound and outbound tourists," Abrol said.

Speaking about Tourist Spot, he said this was the right time for such a fair as people have started making Puja holiday bookings.

"We always urge people to book at least three months in advance to get the best deals."

The CEO pointed out that only seven per cent of Indians fly. "So, there is a huge potential for growth for all airlines." AirAsia India, launched two years ago, has a market share of 2.1 per cent.