The airline began commercial operation with its first flight service from Mumbai to Ahmedabad on 7 August 2022, after receiving its first Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.[11] The CEO of the airline, Vinay Dube, stated that the airline will have a fleet size of approximately 72 aircraft within 5 years.[12] He stated that the airline will initially have services from metro cities to tier-2 and tier-3 cities, as well as operating flights to major cities across India.[13] The airline currently has 25 aircraft flying to 27 destinations, with an order for additional 202 aircraft.[14][15]
History
Founding and launch (2021–present)
During March 2021, reports surfaced that Vinay Dube, the former CEO of Jet Airways and Go First, planned to launch a new low-cost carrier in India with former Go First Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), Praveen Iyer, and Head of Flight Operations, Nikhil Ved.[16] The airline is a brand of SNV Aviation Private Limited.[17]
On 22 December 2021, the airline unveiled its brand identity and logo, with the tagline It's Your Sky.[24][25]
The symbol 'rising A', a part of their logo, was inspired by elements from the sky including the warmth of the rising sun, the effortless flight of a bird and the dependability of an aircraft wing.[26] The colors of their brand 'Sunrise Orange' and 'Passionate Purple' were chosen, reflecting the airline's warm, youthful, and respectful nature.[27] In early July 2022, the airline unveiled its crew uniform which was widely praised for its unique design. The uniform design incorporated a fusion of modern designs with Indian designs. It became the first airline to introduce sneakers made of recycled rubber, and the first in the country to introduce trainers for cabin crew as well.[28]
Commencement of operations and operational difficulties
On 7 August 2022, the airline operated its first commercial flight between Mumbai and Ahmedabad with 28 flights per week. The inaugural event was heavily covered by mainstream media and the Indian aviation community. Notable aviation enthusiasts, youtubers and bloggers from across the globe and all over the country, like Josh Cahill, Sriram Hariharan, Utkarsh Thakkar, Dev Gandhi, and business magnate and the largest stakeholder of the airline, Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, among many others flew on the inaugural flight.[31] Initially, the airline operated flights with two Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, with plans to add an aircraft every 2 weeks.[32][33]
On 25 August 2022, the airline suffered a data breach. The airline on 28 August 2022 reported to the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) that user information limited to names, gender, email addresses and phone numbers may have been viewed by unauthorized individuals; however, no travel-related information, travel records or payment information was compromised.[34][35][36]
In September 2023, reports emerged that the airline had sent legal notice to over 19 pilots, who reportedly left the airline and joined Air India Express without completing their required 6 months notice. By the end of September, the number rose to over 40; the airline responded by stating that it was forced to cancel over 700 flights in August and more in September, so it faced operational losses and damage to its reputation. The airline was reportedly seeking that these pilots will return to the airline, complete their notice period and pay a set amount as compensation for the loss the airline had incurred. Air India Express, responded by stating that the pilots had fulfilled their obligation by paying a set bond amount to Akasa Air.[37][38][39][40][41]
The airline received permission from the DGCA to operate international flights in December 2023,[42][15] and announced in February 2024 that it would commence its international operations beginning from 28 March 2024, operating four weekly flights between Mumbai and Doha, with flights to Dammam and Riyadh starting in the coming months.[43]
Destinations
As of October 2024[update], Akasa Air flies to a total of 25 destinations including 20 domestic destinations and 5 international destinations.
On 22 July 2022, the airline announced its first destination and opened bookings for it as well. The airline's first commercial flight was on 7 August 2022, between Ahmedabad and Mumbai.[44] Most flights are operated through their operating bases at Bengaluru and Mumbai.[45] The airline currently flies to 21 destinations, with plans to launch 9 more destinations within India.[46] The airline has received permission to operate international flights in December 2023, and in February 2024, it announced that it will launch its first international destination as Doha from Mumbai, starting from 28 March 2024.[47][48]
On 16 November 2021, the airline ordered 72 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft valued at nearly $9 billion in list prices at the 2021 Dubai Airshow. The order consists of 737 MAX 8 and the higher-capacity 737 MAX 200 variants.[72] The airline has partnered with Griffin Global Asset Management for a sale-leaseback agreement which includes 5 of their Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.[73] It took the delivery of their first Boeing 737 MAX 8 on 16 June 2022.[74] The airline currently has a plan to add an aircraft every 2 weeks.[75] During the 2023 Paris Air Show the airline ordered another 4 aircraft and specified the breakdown of the order.[76] The airline planned to order a 3-digit aircraft order by 2023 year-end, which would take the order book past 76 aircraft and get ready for future growth plans.[77] On 18 January 2024, the airline placed an order for 150 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft at Wings India 2024. The order also included Boeing 737 MAX 10 and additional Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 aircraft, thereby taking the overall order past 200 aircraft.[71] On 26 January 2024, the airline ordered more than 300 CFM LEAP-1B engines to power its upcoming 737 MAX aircraft.[78]
Services
Being a low-cost airline, Akasa Air operates an all economy configuration in their Boeing 737 MAX variants, with a total of 189 or 174 passengers in -8 variant and 197 in -200 variant.[79][80] To keep fares at a low price, the airline does not provide any in-flight meal; however, the airline operates Café Akasa, its own catering service where passengers can purchase food on board.[81] The airline currently has no in-flight entertainment (IFE) system. The airline offers passengers the "flexi premium services" where passengers get food, seat selection, priority and lower costs for date changes and cancellations. This service is similar to other low-cost carriers in India.[82][83]
The airline has partnered with Blue Ribbon Bags (BRB), providing delayed luggage protection services. It offers its customers delayed baggage protection services. This add-on service available at a fee of ₹ 95 per passenger offers a compensation of ₹ 19,000 per bag (up to 2 bags), in case the check-in bag is delayed or lost beyond 96 hours, following the submission of complaint.[84]
