Aerospace

Akasa Air takes delivery of first aircraft Boeing 737 MAX

On Akasa Air, you can now travel with your pets; bookings open from 15 Oct

Indian aviation’s Akasa airline first fleet of Boeing 737 Max aircraft arrived in India. It gained approval from the Ministry of Aviation last year to operate and launch an airline in India.

The aircraft is produced by Boeing and this is latest version aircraft from B737 family aircraft which has the particular characteristics and passengers amenities.

Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, the master of the Indian share market, owns Akasa Airlines. The airline is ready for operations and has already established operations bases in India. Akasa Air, which bills itself as an ultra-low-cost carrier, received its first 737 Max aircraft from Boeing last week in Seattle.

It had signed an agreement with Boeing to purchase 72 MAX planes in November 2021, with an initial delivery of 18 planes by March 2023, followed by delivery of the remaining 54 planes over the next four years.

Vinay Dube, Founder, Managing Director, and Chief Executive Officer of Akasa Air, stated, “This is truly a meaningful milestone in the journey of Akasa Air, taking us one step closer to the process of getting our Air Operator’s Permit (AOP) and leading to our commercial debut.”

Aerospace

Boeing’s Aurora Flight Sciences Expands Columbus Plant by 50,000 Sqft

Credit:Aurora Flight Sciences

Aurora Flight Sciences, a subsidiary of Boeing, has launched a significant expansion of its manufacturing facility near the Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Columbus, Mississippi.

This ambitious project will add 50,000 square feet of new space, renovate 40,000 square feet of the existing facility, and introduce advanced automation equipment, robotics, and non-destructive inspection technologies. mcas boeing enhancements will support the growing demand for Aurora’s aerospace systems business.

Since its establishment, Aurora Mississippi has specialized in the production of advanced composite components and assemblies for both military and commercial aircraft. The company first opened in 2005 at Mississippi State University’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory in Starkville before relocating to its current site in Columbus two years later.

Initially occupying 21,000 square feet, the facility has since grown to encompass over 120,000 square feet, featuring cutting-edge manufacturing technologies such as automated fiber placement. Aurora’s latest expansion is a strategic investment aimed at increasing production capacity for composite components like boeing titanium used in executive jets and the MQ-25TM Stingray composite skins, a key project for its parent company, Boeing.

Additionally, the facility will produce components for NASA’s X-66 sustainable flight demonstrator aircraft, further diversifying its portfolio. Currently employing around 100 full-time staff in Mississippi, Aurora plans to hire more than 60 additional team members by the end of 2025.

Aurora’s expansion project underscores its commitment to Mississippi’s growing aerospace and advanced manufacturing sector. The company maintains strong partnerships with Mississippi State University (MSU) and East Mississippi Community College (EMCC), contributing to research, higher education, and workforce development in advanced manufacturing.

Additionally, Aurora actively supports local K-12 STEM education through summer camps and collaborates with high school vocational education programs. The expansion and renovation project will be carried out in phases over the next two years, with completion expected by 2026. This development marks a significant milestone in Aurora’s ongoing growth and its role in advancing aerospace manufacturing in Mississippi.