Akasa Air Orders Four 737 MAX 8s, Expands Order to 76 MAX 8s From Boeing

At the 2023 Paris Airshow, Indian start-up airline Akasa Air has announced that it order four more Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircrafts. This brings the airlines total order book with Boeing up to 76 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. 

Since the airline's launch in 2022, Akasa Air has grown to a fleet of 19 aircraft. 

Akasa Air supports its current route network of 16 destinations across India through the use of 19 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. As previously mentioned, Akasa has 76 Boeing 737 MAX 8s on order. This is to support the rapid expansion of the Indian low-cost hybrid airline in the fast expanding and growing Indian aviation market, which is forecast to become one of the biggest markets in the world by 2025.

Of the 76 Boeing 737 MAX 8s Akasa has on order, 23 are the normal 737 MAX 8 variant with standard seating capacity, while the 53-remaining aircraft on order (including the four ordered at the Paris Airshow) are the high-capacity 737 MAX 8-200 variant aircrafts, which in its most dense seating configuration can seat 204 passengers. 

"As the world's fastest growing airline, we are excited to add four more Boeing 737-8 airplanes into our fleet, taking our initial order of 72 aircraft up to 76 jets which will be delivered over the next four years. In addition to supporting our rapid domestic expansion, these airplanes allow us to take full advantage of the category leading 737-8 aircraft with its unparalleled range, as we prepare our foray into international routes...The fuel efficiency and lower carbon emissions of the 737-8 allows us to remain focused on sustainable operations...Sustainability is at the core of our business..." stated Vinay Dube, the founder and CEO of Akasa Air.

"This follow-on order by Akasa demonstrates the market-leading capabilities of the 737 MAX in the world's fastest-growing commercial aviation market...The efficiency and range of the 737-8 support[s] Akasa Air's plan to expand domestic and regional networks." states Brad McMullen, Boeing SVP of Commercial Sales and Marketing.

Akasa Air - India's Newest, Rapidly Expanding Airline 

Akasa Air was established in the beginning of 2022. In just one year, the airline has gone from a start-up to a functioning airline with cabin crew, planes, and a sprawling route network comprised of around 20 routes. The airline has been able to expand at such a rapid pace due to it being backed by Indian billionaire trader Rakesh Jhunjhunwala. The airline has hubs in Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Int'l Airport (BOM) and Bengaluru Kempegowda Int'l Airport (BLR). The airline also has secondary hubs in Delhi (DEL), Guwahati (GAU), and Chennai (MAA).

The time has never been better for a startup airline and already established airlines to enter the Indian aviation market. With India's growing middle class and booming populations, many airlines are struggling to cope with the surge of demand. The flag carrier of India, Air India, has recently announced orders for nearly 500 aircraft from Airbus and Boeing, with deals from each aerospace company valued at USD $34 billion respectively.