The launch of commercial flight operations of Rakesh Jhunjhunwala-backed Akasa Air has been postponed by a month till July. PTIQuoting the CEO of the airline.
“As we get closer to the airline launch date, we can now confirm the refined estimates on our timeline. We are planning to start commercial operations in July 2022 with the intention of starting our commercial operations in early June 2022,” the news agency quoted the news agency as saying. Let’s look forward to the delivery of the first aircraft.” Akasa Air Key Vinay Dubey says
However, he said there would be no impact on “later induction of aircraft” and Akasa Air – also backed by aviation giant Aditya Ghosh – remains on a plan to fly 18 aircraft by the end of March 2023.
Dubey, who is also the carrier’s founder and managing director, added: “With regard to launching the airline, we are extremely grateful to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and DGCA for their guidance and support on all necessary regulatory clearances.”
“We have received our NOC and our next important milestone is the Air Operators Permit. We are working closely with regulatory authorities and following all the necessary procedures to comply with the requirements to obtain this certification. We expect to meet all regulatory requirements for this certification at the earliest,” he said.
He had said in March that the airline was all set to start its commercial operations from June and expected to have a fleet of 72 aircraft in the next five years.
“We hope to start our first commercial flight in the month of June. We are working closely with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) to get our license,” he said.
Akasa Air had received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the ministry in the first half of August 2021 to start commercial flight operations.
After aviation regulator DGCA gave its nod to Boeing MAX aircraft in late August, Akasa Air signed an agreement with Boeing on November 26 last year to purchase 72 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
Aviation consultancy firm CAPA said in November 2021 that the disruption to the Indian aviation sector due to Akasa Air would likely be felt from 2024-25 onwards “once it scales and achieves a competitive cost base”.
With inputs from agencies.