Airlines

Akasa Air Surprises its Competitors with Massive Aircraft Orders and Stock Market Plans

India's Akasa Air nears order for 150 Boeing jets - report

Akasa Air is currently dealing with a pilot shortage, which has impacted its flying operations significantly. Vinay Dube, the airline’s founder and CEO, stated that they have been actively raising their pilot numbers to address this issue. They had 330 pilots in April, and they now have almost 450 pilots.

Furthermore, 125-130 more pilots have contractually committed to joining the airline in the next 3-4 months, bringing their total pilot count to around 600 in the coming months. Akasa Air is making a proactive effort to hire ahead of time based on their needs, and their standard growth plan is being implemented, displaying their long-term vision for the company.

In addition to addressing their pilot shortage, Akasa Air has secured government approval to expand its overseas operations to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar. However, they will have to wait before starting flights to destinations in the United Arab Emirates, such as Dubai, because all possible bilateral agreements for this region have been exhausted.

Akasa Air also intends to go public before the end of the decade. The airline, which is only 14 months founded but already runs more than 750 weekly flights to 16 domestic locations, wants to gain more history and operating experience before conducting an initial public offering (IPO).

They have placed a large order for 76 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, which will be added to their fleet by mid-2027. They now have a fleet of 20 aircraft, and they want to place an order for more aircraft in the three-digit range by the end of 2023 and listing on stock exchanges. Akasa Air’s ambition is to become a key participant in the Indian aviation business, with a strong local and international network and several operational bases.

While an IPO listing is something the company intends, Vinay Dube stated that it may not happen by 2027, and that they may need to accumulate more operational experience before proceeding with a listing. Nonetheless, it remains a priority for the airline’s future.

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Airlines

Air India Rolls Out A350s for Delhi-New York JFK and Newark Routes

In a major development for North American travelers, Air India has announced the deployment of its state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 aircraft on two key routes: Delhi to New York and Delhi to Newark.

The service on the Delhi-New York route will commence on November 1, 2024, while the Delhi-Newark route will see its inaugural flight on January 2, 2025.

The introduction of the air india a350 will bring significant enhancements to Air India’s offerings, particularly with the launch of its Premium Economy class. air india retrofit This new class will feature 24 wide seats arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration, providing passengers with extra legroom and a more comfortable flying experience.

Soon, Air India aircraft will feature onboard WiFi & all-new cabins: Click here

“We are encouraged by the positive guest feedback we have received from the domestic deployment of our air india a350 interior to offer our hero product on the Delhi-New York JFK and Delhi-Newark routes. This is a significant leap forward for our U.S. operations that also underscores our commitment to continuous improvement,” said Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Air India.

The A350’s Business class will set new standards with 28 private suites, each equipped with full-flat beds, direct aisle access, and personal wardrobes. Economy class will be configured to accommodate 264 passengers in a 3-4-3 layout. Across all cabins, passengers will enjoy the latest Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system, offering over 2,200 hours of content.

Air India’s First A350-900: Interior, Routes, &Inflight Features: Click here

This strategic deployment marks a notable enhancement in Air India’s U.S. operations, with 60% of its flights to the U.S. now featuring new or upgraded cabin interiors. The air india new international routes currently operates 51 weekly flights to five U.S. destinations: New York JFK, Newark, Washington DC, Chicago, and San Francisco.

The revamped cabins, advanced in-flight entertainment systems, and improved service standards represent air india wifi commitment to providing a superior travel experience. “We believe this enhanced offering will solidify Air India’s position as a leading carrier and attract travellers seeking a world-class flying experience between India and the United States,” the airline stated.

Seats on these flights are now available for booking on Air India’s website, mobile app, and through travel agents, ensuring that passengers can easily plan their journeys on these newly upgraded routes.