Vasco-da-Gama, July 3 (IANS): It was an emotional Tony Fernandes, CEO of Air Asia India, who Thursday landed in Goa, a shore which the aviation tycoon's father had left decades back for Malaysia.
In a jocular vein Fernandes said he still has a house here somewhere and hoped it was near liqour baron Vijay Mallya's grand villa, but he occasionally flipped back into nostalgic mode, recalling conversations with his father about cashewnuts, wine, Goan sausages and the good life here.
Fernandes was candidly interacting with the media after landing in Goa from Bengaluru in the company of his partner in the Air Asia India venture, one of India's most well known businessmen Ratan Tata.
"My father never stopped talking about Goa, the sausages here, wine, cashew nuts... I have a house here somewhere, maybe its next to Vijay Mallya's," Fernandes said.
His comments evoked laughter from Tata, as well as other dignitaries like Goa Deputy Chief Minister Francisco D'Souza, who welcomed him to Goa at the Dabolim airport, located 35 km from the capital.
Goa's fiery pork sausages are a delicacy in this part of the world and are eaten cooked with pulao, cached in bread or curried.
This was Fernandes' first visit to Goa and this coupled with the fact that he arrived here flying on his own airline carrier, made him emotional.
"This is a wonderful part of India. My father always criticised me that I never came to Goa. Somewhere up there (pointing towards the skies) he will be happy. I am happy to contribute to Goa's economy," Fernandes said.
The Malaysian aviation tycoon also said Goa could be a hub for aviation.
Asked about reports that Air Asia India was looking to utilise space at Goa airport to develop a hub for his airline, he said: "It's at an early stage. Talks (with the government) are going on."