Akasa Air had received a no-objection certificate from the civil aviation ministry in October last year.
Mumbai:
According to a senior DGCA official, the launch of Akasa Air’s services is likely to be delayed further as the airline expects to receive its first aircraft only in June or July.
The carrier, backed by ace investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, initially planned to start operations in June and then postponed the plan to July.
A top airline official said it intends to start services in July.
The Mumbai-based airline, registered as SNV Aviation, had received a mandatory no-objection certificate from the civil aviation ministry in October last year.
Once aircraft are inducted, the airline has to operate a set of proven successful flights.
“The delivery of their (Akasa Air) aircraft is getting delayed and it is expected to arrive around June/July. As far as other procedures are concerned, they are all on track,” a DGCA official told PTI. “
When contacted, Akasa Air said it was expecting to receive the first aircraft by mid-June and intends to start commercial operations in July.
“We expect to deliver our first aircraft by mid-June 2022. The first aircraft will help us with our operating permit and proven flights will be conducted in accordance with regulatory requirements prior to AOP (Air Operator Permit) receipt,” said Akasa Air Founder , Managing Director Vinay Dubey said in a statement to PTI.
He also said that the airline intends to start commercial operations in July 2022 and is ready to induct aircraft later to fly 18 aircraft by the end of March 2023.
A proven flight, which can start from one airport and fly to another airport, is part of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s process to incorporate a new aircraft type into an airline’s fleet. It consists of five sectors (legs) with a total block time of 10 hours or more.
This may include a diversion to an alternate airport or destination en route.