By National News Desk
Akasa Air, India’s newest and fastest-growing airline, has ordered 150 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, the company announced on Thursday. The order, valued at $18 billion at list prices, is one of the largest in the history of Indian aviation, and will enable Akasa to expand its network and fleet in the domestic and international markets.
Akasa Air, which is backed by billionaire investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala and former Jet Airways CEO Vinay Dube, started operations in 2022 with an initial order of 76 Boeing 737 MAX planes, of which 22 have already been delivered. The airline currently operates 18 destinations across India, with a market share of 4%. The airline aims to capture 15% of the market by 2026, and plans to launch flights to the Middle East and Southeast Asia later this year.
The Boeing 737 MAX is a narrow-body aircraft that can seat up to 230 passengers and fly up to 6,570 km. The aircraft is known for its fuel efficiency, lower emissions, and advanced technology. However, the aircraft also faced a global grounding for nearly two years after two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019, which killed 346 people. The aircraft was cleared to fly again in 2020, after Boeing made several changes and improvements to its software and systems.
Akasa Air’s CEO Vinay Dube said that the airline had full confidence in the safety and performance of the Boeing 737 MAX, and that the aircraft was well suited for the Indian market, where demand for air travel is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years. He said that the airline’s vision was to offer affordable and reliable air travel to millions of Indians, and to connect them with the world.
Boeing’s vice president of commercial sales and marketing, Ihssane Mounir, said that Boeing was honored and grateful for Akasa Air’s trust and partnership, and that Boeing was committed to supporting the airline’s growth and success. He said that the Boeing 737 MAX was the best aircraft in its class, and that it would provide Akasa Air with unmatched efficiency, flexibility, and profitability.
The order from Akasa Air is a boost for Boeing, which has been struggling to recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the 737 MAX crisis, which resulted in a loss of orders, revenue, and reputation. Boeing has been competing with its rival Airbus, which has been gaining market share in India and other regions. Boeing hopes that the order from Akasa Air will help it regain its foothold in the Indian market, which is projected to become the third-largest aviation market in the world by 2024.
