Akasa Air to launch overseas flights from Delhi as global expansion takes off

Akasa Air is all set to expand its international footprint by launching overseas flights from New Delhi, marking a significant milestone in its rapid growth since commencing operations just over two years ago.

Speaking at a briefing in New Delhi, Praveen Iyer, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Akasa Air, said, “We will soon have international departures from Delhi.” Currently, the airline operates 24 daily departures from the Indira Gandhi International Airport.

Akasa Air began operations in August 2022 and now operates a fleet of 30 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, serving 24 domestic and six international destinations. Its international network currently includes Doha (Qatar), Jeddah and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), Abu Dhabi (UAE), Kuwait City (Kuwait), and Phuket (Thailand).

Building on this momentum, Iyer said the airline is evaluating new routes across Southeast and Central Asia, including Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, and Tashkent. These potential destinations align with Akasa’s strategic ambition to become a significant player in short- to medium-haul international markets within a five-hour flying radius from India.

The airline has a firm order for 226 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, one of the largest commitments by an Indian carrier in the narrowbody category. However, like many global airlines, Akasa has faced delivery delays due to supply chain bottlenecks and production constraints at Boeing.

With Boeing ramping up its production lines, Iyer expressed optimism that Akasa Air will receive aircraft at a faster pace in the coming months. “We expect deliveries to accelerate as Boeing increases output,” he said, noting that additional aircraft will help the airline expand its international operations and strengthen its domestic network simultaneously.

Iyer also highlighted Akasa’s robust ancillary revenue growth trajectory, pointing to healthy performance in non-ticket revenues such as seat selection, baggage, and in-flight services. “We are very happy with the ancillary revenue growth trajectory,” he said, adding that the airline has maintained a healthy balance between load factors and airfares, signalling operational stability in a competitive market.

Akasa Air’s ability to sustain growth while maintaining equilibrium in pricing and demand reflects a carefully managed business model, especially in a market dominated by larger players such as IndiGo and Air India.

Since its inception, Akasa Air has positioned itself as a cost-efficient, passenger-friendly carrier with a focus on reliability, on-time performance, and network expansion. Its entry into the international segment from Delhi after launching overseas services earlier this year underscores its strategy to evolve from a domestic challenger into a regional player connecting India to high-demand business and leisure destinations.

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