Akasa Air spreading wings to Southeast Asian destinations

Carrier has ordered 150 Boeing 737 Max jets in January

MUMBAI: Akasa Air is set to expand its network to include destinations across Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent to meet the growing demand for international travel in the world’s most populous nation.

The Mumbai-based budget airline plans to launch flights to Kathmandu in Nepal and Dhaka in Bangladesh, according to Praveen Iyer, chief commercial officer at Akasa’s parent company, SNV Aviation Pvt. The airline is also considering travel hotspots such as Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia for future expansion.

“Indians have a strong passion for travel, which drives us to explore new expansion opportunities,” Iyer said in an interview. He noted that outbound traffic from India starting in October is “very strong,” with Southeast Asian destinations becoming significant contributors.

Akasa flies to several Gulf destinations

Akasa’s rapid expansion—having started operations just two years ago and added five international routes this year—highlights the robust demand for air travel as Indian affluence rises and visa restrictions ease. The airline, which began its international operations in March with flights to Doha from Mumbai, has since added routes to other Gulf destinations, including Abu Dhabi and Jeddah.

The carrier has ordered 150 Boeing 737 Max jets in January, increasing its total order book to 226 jets, with deliveries scheduled over the next eight years. Akasa plans to use its narrowbody fleet, capable of flying routes up to six hours, to broaden its short-haul international network.

Despite the competitive landscape, Akasa has carved out a 4.7% market share in India this year, a notable achievement given the industry’s volatility. IndiGo holds a 61% market share, while Air India commands 14.2%, according to data from India’s aviation regulator. With a fleet of 24 jets servicing 49 routes, Akasa has differentiated itself by offering niche services, such as allowing pets on board. Since introducing this policy in November 2022, the airline has transported 3,700 pets.

Akasa faces intensified competition

As India’s aviation industry becomes more consolidated, with major rivals such as Tata Group’s Air India merging with Vistara and Air India Express combining with AIX Connect, Akasa faces intensified competition. IndiGo is also preparing to launch a new premium cabin, and both IndiGo and Air India have placed record aircraft orders.

“We’ll always be competing against two major players—the Tata group and IndiGo,” Iyer acknowledged. “Our focus is on how we build and manage our network to stand out in this landscape.”