According to Chief Executive Officer Vinay Dube, the newest airline in India, Akasa, plans to launch its commercial operations by the end of July and will conduct a proving flight with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation of the nation as soon as next week.
Vinay Dube said in an interview at the startup airline's office in Mumbai that Akasa, supported by billionaire Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, will probably receive its air operator's certificate within days of the proving flight, apply for airport slots, and start selling tickets within a two- to three-week period.
The domestic value carrier's initial routes will concentrate on point-to-point services. According to Vinay Dube, a former executive at both Jet Airways India Ltd. and Delta Air Lines Inc., international flights are expected to begin in the second half of 2023.
"We don't believe in the hub concept. Akasa's network will be focusing on flights from Indian metro cities to tier two and tier three cities," Vinay Dube said.
Aditya Ghosh, the executive who oversaw low-cost carrier IndiGo for nearly ten years, is one of Akasa's other backers. Akasa has ambitious growth plans, with the goal of acquiring 18 aircraft in the fiscal year that ends in March 2023. According to Vinay Dube, Asaka should receive one to two planes a month from a November purchase for 72 Boeing Co. 737 Max jets valued at $9 billion at list prices.
