Akasa Air is in talks with Boeing regarding aircraft deliveries and anticipates adding more planes to its fleet during the current fiscal year, which will end in March 2025, as per airline’s CEO Vinay Dube. The airline, which started its operations in August 2022, currently operates 26 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and has placed orders for 200 more planes.
Dube expressed confidence about the airline’s performance in 2024 and its prospects for 2025 in an interview to PTI. He stated the company’s commitment to provide excellence in service, mentioning that passengers consider Akasa Air as a “kind and gentle airline’’ that gives preference to empathy. Dube stated that the airline continues to be dedicated in ensuring both employees’ wellbeing and customer satisfaction.
Aircraft orders and financial status
This year, Akasa Air has added four planes to its fleet. Replying to the concerns raised by some pilots related to training and safety, the airline denied the allegations as baseless. Dube also clarified that there are no issues of supply chain affecting the aircraft deliveries and asserted Akasa’s strong partnership with Boeing.
Akasa Air has made crucial investments in its fleet. In January 2023, the airline made an order for 150 Boeing planes, inclusive of 737 MAX 10 and 737 MAX 8-200 jets. In 2021, 72 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft were ordered and later in 2023 an additional order of four 737 MAX 8 planes were made.
Dube also shared an update on the financial front, underlining the airline’s strong performance, stating that it is ahead of its plan. ‘’We are well-financially secured and will remain so,’’ he added, rejecting recent reports related to potential fundraising efforts.
Air Akasa’s strategic plans
Amid concerns related to the dominance of Indigo and the Air India Group, which together hold more than 91 per cent of the domestic shares as far as October data, Dube said that Akasa Air continues to stay focused on what it can control. The airline currently holds 4.5 per market share and will prioritize offering superior customer service and promoting a culture of kindness and empathy among its staff.
Dube stated, ‘’we can’t waste time worrying about things which are beyond our control. Our goal is to serve our customers and in maintaining operational excellence’’.
(With inputs from PTI)