New Delhi, India: Akasa Air has formally joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA), marking a significant milestone for the young Indian carrier and strengthening its standing within the global aviation ecosystem.
With this development, Akasa Air becomes the fifth Indian airline to be part of IATA, joining Air India, IndiGo, Air India Express, and SpiceJet. The membership places the airline among more than 360 carriers worldwide that together account for over 80 percent of global air traffic.
Akasa Air’s inclusion follows the successful completion of the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), a globally recognised safety and operational assessment programme that is a mandatory requirement for IATA membership. The audit evaluates an airline’s flight operations, maintenance systems, safety management, security, and organisational processes against international standards.
According to IATA’s official member directory, Akasa Air operating under SNV Aviation Private Limited is now listed as an IATA member airline in the Asia-Pacific region.
Industry experts view the development as a key step in Akasa Air’s international integration, particularly as the airline expands overseas operations and explores deeper cooperation with global carriers. IATA membership provides access to industry-standard settlement systems, safety data sharing, regulatory coordination platforms, and global best practices.
Akasa Air founded in 2020 by Vinay Dube and in substantial backing of the late Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, the renowned Indian investor widely referred to as the “Big Bull” of the stock market. Akasa Air commenced commercial operations in August 2022 and operates a fleet of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The airline serves a growing domestic network and has gradually expanded international services since 2024. Company leadership has previously outlined long-term ambitions to scale fleet size and rank among the world’s leading airlines over the next decade.
For India’s aviation sector, Akasa Air’s entry into IATA reflects the continued expansion and maturation of the country’s airline industry, at a time when passenger demand and global connectivity from India are rising steadily.
