It’s a landmark day for Akasa Air as it welcomed its 20th aircraft, becoming the first airline in Asia to add the 737-8-200 variant of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to its fleet. This now allows Akasa to go international. Bearing the registration VT YAV, the airline received the ceremonial keys to the aircraft in Seattle on July 28 and it arrived in Bengaluru on Tuesday.
Indian regulations require airlines to have at least 20 aircraft in their fleet to become eligible for international operations and this milestone enables Akasa Air to fly to foreign locations.
This comes just ahead of Akasa’s one-year anniversary, which will be on August 7.
The carrier received its first aircraft on June 21, 2022.
Commenting on the successful induction of the airline’s 20th aircraft, Vinay Dube, founder and chief executive officer of Akasa Air, said, “Going from 0 to 20 aircraft within 12 months is not just an Akasa record but a record that encapsulates the potential of our great country and one for our whole nation to be proud of.”
The carrier says the 737-8-200 offers a balance of airline economics and unparalleled customer experience that is a perfect fit for Akasa and allows it to deliver on its promise of service excellence.
The airline also added that the 737 MAX family provides greater range and fuel efficiency, reducing fuel use and carbon emissions by 20% compared to those it replaces. In addition, the 737 MAX is a quieter aeroplane with a 50% smaller noise footprint than replacement aircraft.
Since launching commercial operations in August 2022, Akasa Air has an almost 5% market share in India, overtaking SpiceJet.
As the airline gets a green light to fly international, it is planning to add up to 800 new workers by the end of this fiscal year. Akasa is considering expanding its network to West Asia, Southeast Asia, and other parts of South Asia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh, keeping single-class configuration on the routes.
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