Boeing may get order for supply of jets for Rakesh Jhunjhunwala’s Akasa Air
Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter, that Boeing is likely to win an order for around 70 to 80 737 MAX jets from billionaire Rakesh Jhunjhunwala’s startup Akasa Air as early as this weekend.
A deal could be announced during the Dubai Airshow starting November 14, the report said.
News of the potential order comes after Indian authorities in August cleared Boeing’s best-selling jet to fly, ending its regulatory grounding in a key travel market for aircraft makers.
Reuters reported in September that Boeing was close to winning an order from Akasa for about 70 to 100 737 MAX jets, pending separate talks on a long-term engine service deal.
Akasa is all set to launch the country’s latest ultra-low cost carrier after securing preliminary approval from India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation last month.
Boeing shares were up 1.1 per cent in afternoon trading.
“We always look for opportunities and talk with current and potential customers about how we can best support their fleet and operational needs,” Boeing said in a statement.
Akasa did not respond to a request for comment.
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