MUMBAI- Akasa Air (QP), India’s youngest airline, announced on Thursday that it has made a purchase order for 150 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
The airline, supported by the family of renowned stockbroker Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, intends to utilize these aircraft to inaugurate new routes both domestically and internationally. Notably, Akasa Air had previously placed an order for 76 Boeing 737 MAX planes.
Akasa Air Orders 150 737 MAX
“We are extremely confident about Akasa’s financial stability and growth potential, but what we are most proud of is what Akasa and its employees have been able to achieve in terms of reliability and service excellence while pursuing the highest standards of safety in global aviation.”
Vinay Dube, Founder, and CEO of Akasa Air.
It remains uncertain whether Akasa’s order encompasses Boeing’s contentious 737 MAX 9 planes, which have come under scrutiny from regulators following a cabin panel blowout earlier this month, further complicating the planemaker’s ongoing safety challenges.
It’s noteworthy that Indian commercial airlines currently do not operate the 737 MAX 9 aircraft.
Among the ordered planes, 22 have already been delivered. Akasa Air, the recent addition to the Indian aviation sector, had previously placed an order for 76 Boeing 737 MAX planes.
Since commencing operations in 2022, Akasa Air has secured a market share of 4%, contrasting with IndiGo (6E) 60% and the combined 26% of Tata Group airlines.
With eligibility for international operations achieved, Akasa Air is now preparing to launch flights to Doha and Riyadh later this year.
Indian regulations stipulate that airlines must possess a minimum of 20 aircraft in their fleet to qualify for international flights.
Facing challenges in late 2023, when 40 of its pilots resigned without providing notice to join the Air India (AI) group, the airline had to reduce flights, resulting in a 1% decrease in its market share.
However, CEO Vinay Dube mentioned that the airline has since recruited pilots and strengthened its reserve of qualified personnel.
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