New Indian low cost carrier, Akasa Air, has started commercial operations.
The airline’s made its first flight on 07 August 22 from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) to Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD).
The inaugural flight, QP 1101, was with one of Akasa Air’s two brand new 737 MAX 8. And it was a 189 seat sellout.
Vinay Dube, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Akasa Air:
“Today marks a significant milestone in Akasa Air’s journey as we successfully commence our commercial operations with our maiden flight from Mumbai to Ahmedabad. This is not just a testament to the women and men of Akasa that have made this day possible, but also a testament of India’s ongoing economic transformation and that of the country’s rapidly progressing civil aviation landscape.
“We are thrilled to finally begin our commercial journey and bring alive our vision of supporting India’s economic progress and building India’s greenest, most dependable, and most affordable airline.”
Routes
Akasa Air is focusing on metro to tier 2 & 3 cities.
Starting today, the the airline will fly two daily returns between Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
On 13 August, it starts two daily returns between Bengaluru and Kochi .
Bengaluru – Mumbai starts on 19 August and Mumbai – Chennai starts on 15 September.
Progressively adding cities and routes to its network, the airline has already announced a total of five routes along five cities, including Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Bengaluru and Chennai.
Fleet
Currently, Akasa Air has two 737 MAX 8. The privately owned carrier has ordered seventy two (72) 737 MAX aircraft.
The plan is to introduce two of the 737 MAX a month. Sixteen more are expected by the end of March 2023, the remaining 54 aircraft over the course of the next four years.
Akasa Air’s 737 MAX 8 have 189 seats in a single class.
N.B. Image credit: Akasa Air