Stock market investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala-backed Akasa Air is set to start its commercial operations from June this year, its co-founder and CEO is Vinay Dubey.
Akasa Air is an airline brand under the holding aviation venture SNV Aviation, which is owned by market bull Jhunjhunwala. The company, which is set to start flights from June, plans to operate as a low-cost carrier.
The company had received a no-objection certificate from the Ministry of Civil Aviation in October last year as it embarks on its journey to provide a warm, efficient, reliable, and affordable travel experience to Indian travelers.
Jhunjhunwala, who will hold a 40 percent stake in the company, has teamed up with former CEOs of IndiGo and Jet Airways, Aditya Ghosh and Vinay Dubey, respectively, to tap the growing long-term potential for domestic air travel in India. .
Akasa will compete with other Indian budget carriers such as Indigo and SpiceJet.
Akasa Air: Another Budget Airline in India
The company revealed its brand identity with the unveiling of its emblem ‘Rising A’ and tagline ‘It’s Your Sky’ in December 2021.
‘Rising A’ is inspired by the elements of the sky. According to the information available on its website, it symbolizes the warmth of the rising sun, the spontaneous flight of a bird and the dependence of the wing of an aircraft.
‘It’s Your Sky’ is the brand’s promise to embrace all and create an inclusive environment for all Indians, regardless of their socio-economic or cultural background.
“It is a powerful pledge of ownership, promise and possibilities that accompanies each passenger on their journey. The brand’s colours, ‘Sunrise Orange’ and ‘Passion Purple’ reflect the airline’s warm, youthful and dignified nature.”
Akasa Air: Fleet Size, Key Specs
The airline expects to have a fleet of 72 aircraft in the next five years. “We expect 18 aircraft to be on the ground in 12 months and 12-14 aircraft will be added after a year,” Dubey said on the sidelines of an event on Friday.
In November last year, Boeing and Akasa Air said in a statement that the new Indian carrier has ordered (72) 737 MAX aircraft to build its fleet. This order of approximately USD 9 billion at list prices is a major endorsement of the 737 family’s ability to serve the rapidly growing Indian market.
“Akasa Air’s order includes two variants of the 737 MAX family, the 737-8 and the higher-capacity 737-8-200. Providing the lowest seat-mile cost for a single-aisle airplane as well as high dispatch reliability and an enhanced passenger experience, the 737 MAX will ensure that Akasa Air has a competitive edge in its dynamic domestic market.” Akasa said in November. Statement.
Akasa Air and Boeing 737
According to a recent media report, India’s Directorate General of Aviation Safety Regulatory (DGCA) will increase surveillance on this aircraft fleet operated by airlines here after the crash of the Eastern flight of China operating a Boeing 737. This means that the DGCA will enhance the “monitoring of procedures” to be followed by Indian carriers in the operation, maintenance and upkeep of their 737 fleet.