Akasa gets nod to fly overseas
aviation ministry, a person aware of the matter said. “According to the DGCA, Akasa Air is eligible to apply for international scheduled air transport services," the ministry informed the airline. “However, it is also informed that based on traffic rights to be allocated to Akasa Air, scrutiny of country-specific preparedness will be carried out by the DGCA before permitting Akasa Air to operate international operations." Since 2019, Indian airlines have shown strong interest in expanding their presence in the international market due to the potential for higher yields.
India’s largest airline, IndiGo, has also announced its intention to allocate 30% capacity to international routes within two years. Under Indian civil aviation regulations, airlines are eligible to get international flight rights if they have a fleet of 20 aircraft or completed five years of operations. At present, bilateral air traffic rights for highly sought-after destinations such as the UAE, Qatar and Singapore are almost exhausted on both sides.
But, with Go First’s operations suspended since May, the government may consider reviewing those rights, an official said. Akasa Air started domestic operations on 7 August 2022, with its inaugural flight from Mumbai to Ahmedabad. Currently, it commands a 4.2% share of India’s aviation market.
The airline has a fleet of 20 aircraft and is seeking to expand to 76 planes, including 23 Boeing 737-8s and 53 Boeing 737-8-200s. It recently placed an order for four Boeing 737-8 Max aircraft at the Paris Air Show. On 4 August, Akasa submitted a letter to the civil aviation ministry seeking approval for its designation as a scheduled international carrier and subsequently requested allocation of traffic rights.
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