Indian low-cost carrier Akasa Air this week confirmed its intention to place a large aircraft order in 2023.
According to Vinay Dube, its CEO, it would be a «three digits» order to be finalised by the end of the year. While he would not disclose the figure, he said it would be a «significant» order.
In addition, he said Akasa Air plans to hire 300 pilots next year and open a crew training centre in Bangalore, where the airline is already the second largest carrier in terms of operations. According to the company, it could need at least 3.500 new pilots over the next decade.
In mid-February it was reported that the airline could place a «substantially» large order for new narrow-body aircraft. The news came just days after Air India ordered 220 aircraft from Boeing and another 250 airplanes from Airbus, and after it emerged that low-cost carrier IndiGo is negotiating to buy «several hundred aircraft» aircraft from the European manufacturer.
Airline activity and competition in India is intensifying. Demand for air travel, both domestic and international, is already close to pre-pandemic levels. And projections indicate that the trend will continue for the foreseeable future.
Fleet growth, an objective for Akasa Air
Akasa Air stated early on that it intended to increase the size of its fleet: it planned to have 18 aircraft in operation by March 2023 and to take delivery of up to 54 over the next four years. The company placed an initial order for 72 aircraft, including Boeing 737 MAX 8 and 737-8200 models. So far, it has taken delivery of seventeen 737 MAX 8.
While no further details are known about the new order, it would be a large order for new narrow-body aircraft. It is likely that Akasa Air will opt to add more Boeing 737 MAXs in order to have a more homogenous fleet.
«By the end of the year, we hope to be flying internationally», Dube told Reuters. He also explained that the company’s goal is to increase the size of its network and include destinations within reach of the 737 MAX in South Asia and the Middle East.
