Akasa Air Expands Fleet with 29th Aircraft
Akasa Air has announced the acquisition of a new Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 aircraft, which has arrived in Bengaluru. This milestone marks the addition of the 29th aircraft in just 33 months of operations. The airline has plans to incorporate an additional 197 aircraft over the next several years. However, Boeing delivery delays have posed challenges to Akasa’s ambitious expansion objectives.
The new aircraft, registered as VT-YBG, landed at the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. The journey of this aircraft began from Seattle, USA, with a stop at Keflavik, Iceland, before concluding its delivery flight from Kuwait to Bengaluru. Akasa Air emphasized that this new addition supports its growth strategy and its ongoing commitment to enhancing service in Indian aviation.
Previously, Akasa Air achieved a global first by becoming the fastest airline to expand to a fleet of 20 aircraft within its inaugural year of operations. Looking ahead, the airline anticipates the inclusion of 197 more planes in the following eight years.
In April, it was reported that Akasa aims to have a fleet of 30 aircraft by July. This target reflects the airline’s continued growth despite facing challenges related to delivery delays of new aircraft.
It should be noted that Akasa has experienced delays in aircraft deliveries due to heightened regulatory oversight concerning Boeing’s 737 program, following incidents such as a mid-air cabin panel blowout on a similar aircraft operated by Alaska Airlines in the US last year. Out of the 446 Boeing MAX jets ordered by Indian airlines, only approximately 65 have been delivered so far. Boeing’s strategy now involves supplying two aircraft per month, although these delays have resulted in grounding certain Akasa pilots. Currently, around 18% of the airline’s operations are dedicated to international flights.
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