Akasa Air has received government approval to start international operations.
The civil aviation ministry is in the process of allocating traffic right after which the airline will approach DGCA for further procedures.
‘The proposal was examined in consultation with DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) and it has been decided with the approval of competent authority, to allow Akasa Air to mount international operations subject to their continued compliance…,’ it said in a letter to the airline.
Company statement
Akasa Air described the government’s approval as a recognition of the strength of the airline’s operations.
“This new designation will allow us to fly internationally, enabling us to take one step closer to our dream of launching international operations before the end of this year.
We are now working with all relevant authorities on our request for traffic rights and will soon be able to announce the international destination we will fly to.
We are targeting destinations within the range of a 737 MAX from India in South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Middle East,” it said.
3-digit aircraft order by year-end?
“We are also on track to announce a 3-digit aircraft order by the end of this year to serve the growing travel demand.
We have always prioritised reliability and customer satisfaction through detailed planning and an experienced team, allowing us to become one of the fastest-growing airlines in civil aviation history”, it added.
Five years’ experience no longer needed
The airline recently added its 20th aircraft in its first year of operations, which qualified it to apply for international scheduled air transport services.
Previously, airlines seeking approval to fly abroad had to have five years of experience on domestic routes along with a fleet of 20 aircraft.
However, the revised civil aviation policy eliminated the former requirement.
How Akasa Air benefits
Overseas operations help domestic airlines through lesser competition since most routes are governed by a quota of either seats or frequencies or both under Bilateral Air Services Agreements.
Tax on jet fuel in the country is high.
However, on overseas flights it is at par with international carriers, giving Indian carriers a chance to expand and compete.
Potential destinations
The airline said that it would fly to destinations within the five to six hour range of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft it operates.
This could include the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia in the west, Sri Lanka and the Maldives in the Indian Ocean, and Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand in the east.
Begin ops by year-end?
Ultimately it will depend on available flying rights and the level of competition on the routes.
It could take 45 to 60 days for akasa to start flying overseas.
If it manages to make it by the end of the year, it would make it the fastest airline to start international services from India.
