Picture Credits: Akasa Air
Bengaluru, India: In a significant milestone for India’s newest airline, Akasa Air has officially inducted its 29th aircraft into its growing fleet. The new Boeing 737 MAX 8-200, bearing the registration VT-YBG, landed at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport on Sunday.
Akasa Air, which began operations in August 2022, has now reached 29 aircraft in less than three years of commercial service. This addition underscores the airline’s accelerated fleet expansion plan, which aims to double its current capacity in the next two years. The latest aircraft is part of Akasa’s large order book of over 200 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, including both the MAX 8 and the high-density MAX 8-200 variants. The MAX 8-200 aircraft offer increased seating and fuel efficiency, enabling the airline to improve operating economics while maintaining passenger comfort.
The airline’s operations team and ground staff welcomed the aircraft with customary water cannon salutes and internal handover protocols. Akasa officials stated that this induction not only marks a numeric achievement but also aligns with the airline’s strategy to increase route frequency and add new destinations across India and abroad. The fleet expansion is crucial to accommodate the rising passenger demand, particularly as the aviation sector sees strong recovery and growth across Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities.
Picture Credits: Navi Mumbai International Airport
In parallel with its fleet expansion, Akasa Air has also entered into a strategic agreement with Adani Airport Holdings Ltd., the developers of Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). As part of the deal, Akasa will be among the first airlines to commence operations from NMIA, with plans to operate over 100 weekly domestic departures in the initial phase. The airline will gradually scale up to approximately 300 domestic and 50 international flights per week, making it one of the largest carriers operating from the new airport.
Picture Credits: Akasa Air
CEO Vinay Dube confirmed that Akasa will start with around 15 daily departures, including a mix of domestic and international routes, eventually ramping up to 50 daily departures during the winter schedule. The partnership with NMIA is part of Akasa’s broader long-term strategy to diversify operational hubs and tap into new and emerging passenger corridors beyond traditional metro-centric models.
With consistent aircraft deliveries and a focused route network strategy, Akasa Air continues to position itself as a major player in the Indian aviation sector.
Stay tuned to Aviation Today for the latest Aviation News!
