NEW DELHI: Akasa Air, which marks its third anniversary on August 7, announced plans to expand its international operations to the SAARC and ASEAN regions in the coming years. The airline also intends to utilize the upcoming Navi Mumbai and Noida international airports to strengthen its domestic and international network.
Launched in August 2022, Akasa Air currently operates a fleet of 30 aircraft and expects to exceed 30 planes by the end of this year. The carrier is targeting a more than 30% increase in capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres (ASKs), for the current financial year ending March 2026.
“In the coming years, the airline will extend its global footprint with entry into new markets across SAARC and ASEAN. Domestically, it will expand its presence in key hubs like Delhi and take strategic advantage of upcoming airports at Navi Mumbai and Noida to develop a robust network,” Akasa Air said in a statement on Thursday.
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) includes eight member countries: India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) comprises 10 nations: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia.
Akasa Air currently flies to five international destinations — Doha (Qatar), Jeddah and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), Abu Dhabi (UAE), and Kuwait City — and operates flights to 23 cities within India.
“In just 36 months, Akasa Air has flown over 19 million passengers, including 8 million in the past year alone, and continues to maintain industry-leading load factors exceeding 87%,” the statement added.
During the last financial year, the airline reported a 49% year-on-year increase in revenue, with ASK capacity rising 48%.
Founder and CEO Vinay Dube reaffirmed the airline’s long-term ambition, stating that Akasa Air remains committed to its goal of becoming one of the world’s top 30 airlines by the end of the decade.
