Akasa Air plans international flights on these new destinations
AKASA Air (QP) is evaluating new routes across East Africa and beyond, targeting destinations like Kenya (NBO), Egypt (CAI), and Ethiopia (ADD). The airline, now in its third year, is also confident about its Boeing 737 MAX delivery schedule and ongoing international expansion.
CEO Vinay Dube confirmed that Akasa Air plans to announce flights to Sharjah (SHJ) soon, while the fleet continues to grow with over 30 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and more on the way.
Akasa Air (QP) is steadily broadening its global network, building on a strong domestic foundation. The airline already operates to six international cities — Doha (DOH), Jeddah (JED), Riyadh (RUH), Abu Dhabi (AUH), Kuwait City (KWI), and Phuket (HKT).
With its fleet of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, the carrier can comfortably reach destinations such as Kenya (NBO), Ethiopia (ADD), Egypt (CAI), Mauritius (MRU), Kazakhstan (ALA), and Uzbekistan (TAS).
Vinay Dube noted that Akasa’s international operations currently make up 20% of its total Available Seat Kilometers (ASK), with plans to increase that share to around 30% by March 2027. The airline’s focus remains on sustainable, well-paced growth rather than rapid expansion.
The airline’s confidence in its delivery schedule marks a significant step forward. Following delays in Boeing 737 MAX deliveries, the US Federal Aviation Administration recently cleared Boeing to ramp up production from 38 to 42 aircraft per month.
Akasa Air holds a firm order for 226 Boeing 737 MAX jets, positioning it for steady capacity expansion in the coming years.
With 750–775 pilots currently employed, Akasa Air expects to restart pilot hiring by mid-2026, primarily for first officers. The airline has maintained operational predictability and remains optimistic about its future deliveries and staffing needs.
Akasa Air aims to strengthen its connectivity through codeshare and interline partnerships. It already has an active codeshare agreement with Etihad Airways (EY).
Dube explained that while the airline is open to more such arrangements, achieving a larger network scale will make it a more attractive partner to other global carriers.
Codeshare and interline partnerships allow passengers to enjoy smoother travel through shared routes and single itineraries, even across different airlines. Akasa’s growing footprint makes such collaborations increasingly valuable.
Operational Oversight and Regulatory Compliance
Addressing recent reports about the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) audits, Dube confirmed that all observations have been resolved to the regulator’s satisfaction. These were part of routine checks that every carrier undergoes, with no safety concerns identified.
The airline continues to prioritise compliance and safety, maintaining standards aligned with India’s aviation regulations.
Akasa Air remains well-capitalised, with recent investments from Premji Invest and Claypond Capital supporting its expansion plans. The airline is considering an Initial Public Offering (IPO) within the next two to five years as part of its long-term growth strategy.
While the carrier operates exclusively with single-class, economy-only Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, it is open to evaluating wide-body or regional models if market conditions and financial analysis support the move.
For now, Akasa’s fleet strategy remains focused on operational efficiency and economic viability.
