Akasa Air operated it inaugural flight this morning in India. Flight QP1101 departed from Mubai to Ahmedabad.

Thye new airline made this announcement:

Akasa Air, India’s newest airline, today (August 7) commenced its commercial operations with its first flight taking off from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, bound for Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The maiden flight took off from Mumbai at 10:05 am with a scheduled arrival at Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 11:25 am.

As a symbolic gesture to mark the occasion during the ceremony, Akasa Air’s boarding pass was handed over to the Honourable Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia-ji and the Honourable Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, General (Dr) V. K Singh-ji. Both guests-of-honour addressed the gathering and officially flagged off the event. The Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri Devendra Fadnavis-ji extended his wishes on the commencement of Akasa Air’s operations while addressing the gathering. The ceremony was also graced by the Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation Shri Rajiv Bansal-ji and Joint Secretary(J), Ministry of Civil Aviation Smt. Usha Padhee-ji.

Starting today, Akasa Air will offer weekly flights between Mumbai and Ahmedabad.

Progressively adding cities and routes to its network, the airline has already announced a total of five routes along five cities, including Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Bengaluru and Chennai.

With a fleet induction plan of two Boeing 737 MAX aircraft each month, the airline is looking to establish a strong pan-India presence, with a focus on metro to tier 2 & 3 route connectivity. The fleet size will be raised to 18 aircraft by the end of March 2023 and over the next four years, the airline will add 54 aircraft, taking its total fleet size to 72.

Akasa Air made this announcement:

Akasa Air, India’s newest airline, on July 7 received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India.

The grant of the AOC is the final step of a comprehensive and rigorous process laid down by the DGCA and marks the satisfactory completion of all regulatory and compliance requirements for the airline’s operational readiness.

Following the government’s initiative to usher in a new era of digitisation, Akasa Air is proud to be the first airline whose end-to-end AOC process was conducted using the government’s progressive eGCA digital platform. The process concluded with the airline having successfully conducted a number of proving flights under the supervision of the country’s aviation regulator.

Akasa Air, whose airline code is QP, received its first Boeing 737 MAX aircraft on June 21, 2022.

Later this month, the airline will commence commercial operations with two aircraft, subsequently adding to its fleet, every month. By the end of the fiscal year 2022-23, the airline will have inducted 18 aircraft and thereafter 12-14 aircraft every 12 months, which will make up its order of 72 delivered over five years.

Akasa Air aircraft slide show:

Akasa Air will take delivery of its first aircraft in April 2022. The new airline in India is planning to launch operations in June.

According to CEO Vinay Dube, the upstart will not be an ultra-low-cost carrier but an affordable airline that hopes to fly people who have never flown.

On November 16, 2021, Akasa Air ordered 72 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft valued at nearly $9 billion at list prices. The order consists of 737 MAX 8 and the high-capacity 737 MAX 200 variants.

Akasa Air is a new ultra-low-cost Indian airline co-founded by billionaire Rakesh Jhunjhunwala and former Jet Airways CEO Vinay Dube.

The leadership team:

The new airline expected to start operations in the summer of 2022 with a fleet of new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.

The upstart made this announcement:

Akasa Air today revealed its much-anticipated brand identity with the unveiling of its ‘Rising A’ symbol and tagline, ‘It’s Your Sky’. With India’s youngest and greenest fleet, the Akasa Air brand is built upon a clear promise to deliver a warm, reliable, and affordable travel experience.

The Rising A is inspired by elements from the sky. It symbolizes the warmth of the rising sun, the effortless flight of a bird and the dependability of an aircraft wing. ‘It’s Your Sky’ is the brand’s promise to embrace everyone and to create an inclusive environment for all Indians regardless of their socio-economic or cultural backgrounds. It is a powerful pledge of ownership, promise, and possibilities that accompany each traveller on their journeys. The brand colours, ‘Sunrise Orange’ and ‘Passionate Purple’ reflect the airline’s warm, youthful, and respectful nature.

“Translating our purpose to serve every traveller with an innovative yet simple alternative required a modern and confident symbol. The Akasa Air brand identity encapsulates the collective spirit of flying and the individual pursuit of dreams for each of us,” comments Vinay Dube, Akasa Air Founder, MD and CEO. “It is our promise to all, regardless of backgrounds or beliefs, that it’s your sky, your dreams, your passions, and your personal journey, and Akasa Air is honoured to be a part of it.”

“We wanted our logo to be simple, easy-to-recall and connect with our brand ethos. The Rising A seamlessly connects aviation & ascension and exudes warmth, dependability, freedom, and motion. We believe that the sky embraces everyone and is no longer the limit” adds Belson Coutinho, CoFounder and Chief Marketing & Experience Officer, Akasa Air. “To bring this brand identity and promise to life, we are building a youthful, friendly, and dynamic culture of service and excellence, driven by a tech-led and sustainability-led strategy”, concludes Coutinho.

In partnership with Akasa Air, the positioning and identity have been crafted by 26FIVE India Lab, a Mumbai-based brand engagement firm and part of NYC-headquartered 26FIVE Global Lab creative network. The project for the agency was led by aviation specialist Girish Nair and global brand strategist Sophie Ann Terrisse.

Previously Akasa Air, a brand of SNV Aviation, announced the new Indian carrier had ordered (72) Boeing 737 MAX airplanes to build its fleet. Valued at nearly $9 billion at list prices, the order is a key endorsement of the 737 family’s capability to serve the rapidly growing Indian market.

About Akasa Air

Akasa Air will be the most dependable airline in India, offering warm & efficient customer service, reliable operations, and affordable fares – all in the Akasa Way. Akasa’s youthful personality, employee-centric philosophy, tech-led approach, and culture of service will make this commitment a reality for all Indians. The carrier plans to offer commercial flights starting in the summer of 2022 to support the growing demand across India.

Praveen Iyer, chief commercial officer, Akasa Air; James McBride, Boeing sales director; John Bruns, Boeing vice president, Commercial Sales & Marketing, India & Southeast Asia; Ihssane Mounir, Boeing senior vice president, Commercial Sales & Marketing; Aditya Ghosh, co-founder, Akasa Air; Vinay Dube, chief executive officer, Akasa Air, and Stan Deal, Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and chief executive officer, after Akasa Air ordered (72) 737 MAX airplanes to build its fleet. (Boeing Photo)

Boeing and Akasa Air, a brand of SNV Aviation, today announced the new Indian carrier has ordered (72) 737 MAX airplanes to build its fleet. Valued at nearly $9 billion at list prices, the order is a key endorsement of the 737 family’s capability to serve the rapidly growing Indian market.

Akasa Air’s order includes two variants from the 737 MAX family, the 737-8 and the high-capacity 737-8-200. Providing the lowest seat-mile costs for a single-aisle airplane as well as high dispatch reliability and an enhanced passenger experience, the 737 MAX will ensure Akasa Air has a competitive edge in its dynamic home market.

The emergence of Akasa Air, which is a new proposed domestic airline in India.

From Reuters:

Indian billionaire’s new airline may give Boeing a chance to regain lost ground | Reuters

More:

Akasa Air: Rakesh Jhunjhunwala’s ultra-low-cost airline could revive Boeing in India – Telegraph India

India’s newest airline Akasa Air – All you need to know (jagranjosh.com)