India’s latest low-cost airline Akasa Air is due to start operating flights soon after being due to receive its first Boeing 737 Max 8 soon after delays.
The home stretch
Akasa Air was initially expecting to receive its Boeing 737 Max in April of this year but that has now been delayed until around June – July.
Co-founder and CEO of Akasa Air Vinay Dube commented on the matter:
“We expect our first aircraft delivery by mid-June 2022. The first aircraft will help us with our operating permit and the proving flights will be held as per regulatory requirements prior to the Air Operator Permit receipt.”
As of now, Akasa Air will likely launch with its first commercial flight in July, two months later than the initial plans to launch in June. Once launched the carrier will serve domestic routes in India, with plans to add international routes in 2023.
Boeing has been struggling with delays significantly in recent weeks and months. As reported by Travel Radar, the American aerospace manufacturer delayed its 777X deliveries until early 2025 and the new Air Force One VC-25B aircraft is also delayed until 2025. It is becoming clear that Boeing is stuck in a very frustrating rut.
Currently, the Mumbai-based carrier has ordered 72 Boeing 737 Max aircraft. The current goal is to fly 18 aircraft by the end of March 2023.
On 5 May, the Indian carrier announced its partnership with the cloud-enabled Navitaire Airline Platform to power its digital retailing strategy. Navitaire provides business solutions and technology to the airline industry – they work with over 60 of the world’s leading low-cost and hybrid carriers such as Ryanair, TUI (UK, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium), and Hungary’s Wizz Air.
Co-founder and Chief Information Officer at Akasa Air, Anand Srinivasan, commented on the partnership and how it will help the airline achieve its goals:
“Our goal is to leverage best-in-class technology and build a data-driven organisation and our partnership with a technology leader like Navitaire is a testament to the same. We are convinced that globally proven solutions like New Skies and SkyLedger will power our tech-enabled strategy and help us run reliable operations and offer affordable travel options to our customers.”
Akasa Air, as a low-cost carrier, will be competing with the likes of Jet Airways, SpiceJet, and IndiGo.
Are you excited to see Akasa Air up and running? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
