Akasa Air places order for 150 Boeing 737 Max aircraft; looks to start international flights soon

Akasa Air, India’s newest airline, announced on Thursday that it has placed an order for 150 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. This order will enable the airline to expand its services both domestically and internationally. Previously, Akasa had booked an order for 76 Boeing 737 MAX planes, out of which 22 have already been delivered.
Despite being a newcomer in the Indian aviation industry, Akasa has managed to capture a 4% market share since commencing operations in 2022. However, this is still significantly lower compared to IndiGo’s dominant 60% market share and the combined 26% market share of Tata Group airlines.

Akasa Air is now eligible to launch international operations, which is in line with Indian regulations requiring airlines to have a minimum of 20 aircraft in their fleet for international flights. The airline plans to commence flights to Doha and Riyadh later this year, according to an ET report.

Last year, Akasa faced challenges when 40 of its pilots abruptly left without serving the notice period to join the Air India group. As a result, the airline was compelled to reduce its flight operations, leading to a 1% decline in its market share. However, CEO Vinay Dube stated that the airline has since hired additional pilots and strengthened its team.
Akasa Air’s new order for 150 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft marks a significant milestone in its growth trajectory.

Meanwhile, Akasa Air has expanded its domestic network by adding Ayodhya as its 18th destination. The airline will operate daily flights between Pune and Ayodhya via Delhi, allowing for seamless travel with no aircraft change required in Delhi. These flights have been introduced during prime hours for passenger convenience. Travellers can book flights on Akasa Air’s website, Android and iOS app, or through various leading OTAs. Since its launch in August 2022, Akasa Air has served over 6.3 million passengers and connects with 18 cities across India.