Bangalore: The potential for air travel in India is enormous, as the base of the pyramid has not been tapped to the extent it should have been, Tata Sons chairman emeritus Ratan Tata said on Thursday.

"I am convinced that there is growing preference for air travel in India for connectivity, leisure, business and as an essential service," Tata told reporters at the official launch of AirAsia India, the new budget carrier in which Tata Sons has 30 percent equity stake.