After receiving its first Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in April, Rakesh Jhunjhunwala-backed carrier Akasa Air plans to begin flights in late May or early June, according to news agency PTI. By the end of March 2023, the airline hopes to have 18 planes in its fleet.
“We aim to have our first aircraft in the second part of April, the first commercial trip in late May or early June,” Akasa Air CEO Vinay Dube told PTI in an interview. “We’re working with the government and the DGCA to go over all of the regulations,” Dube explained.
Akasa Air, which will launch as a low-cost carrier, has placed an order for 72 fuel-efficient Boeing 737 MAX planes.
Akasa Air would first offer services from metros to Tier II and III cities. According to PTI, there will also be flights from metros to metros to move the aircraft across the system.
According to Dube, who is also the founder and managing director of Akasa, the company has begun employing people, building up technology, creating processes and procedures, defining items relating to customer value and offer, and planning route networks with airports.
According to the CEO, one of the reasons Akasa is optimistic about aviation is because, historically, few people in India have flown compared to other Western economies. “All of this is about to change in the next several years, and we want to be a part of it. We want to help facilitate that transformation and keep air travel democratised “According to the news agency, Dube said.
Akasa, which presently employs over 50 people, has aspirations to expand its worldwide services in the future.
Dube stated that after the airline has 20 planes in its fleet, it plans to begin international operations in the second half of the calendar year 2023.
To begin international flights in India, a domestic airline must have at least 20 aircraft.
“We have a good range with the Boeing 737 MAX. We can go to Southeast Asia, the SAARC countries, the Middle East, and so on “he stated
Akasa Air placed an order with Boeing for 737 MAX planes last year. The purchase includes 737-8 and 737-8-200 aircraft with a high-capacity configuration.
