The prospect of increasing the drone fleet is prompting some unease among civil libertarians because the border agency allows local law enforcement and federal agencies to use the aircraft for special missions over U.S. territory.

WSJ: Border-Security Drone Program Off to Rough Start

AirAsia, Southeast Asia's largest carrier by fleet size, and its local partners will now have to seek approvals from the civil aviation ministry and other authorities to start the airline, Mr. Mayaram said.

WSJ: India Approves AirAsia's Airline Proposal