Airlines

Navigating the Skies: Akasa Air Cleared for International Routes, Conducts 900 Weekly Flights

Akasa Air Secures Green Light for Saudi, Kuwait, and Qatar Routes

Akasa Air has served 4.3 million passengers in its first year of commercial operations and has surpassed the milestone of operating over 900 weekly flights with a published network of 35 unique routes between 16 destinations. Over 25,000 tonnes of freight have also been transported across the network during this time.

With a passenger load factor of over 84% since operations began and a continually increasing record of nearly 90% in the current financial year, Akasa Air has increased its market share in just one short year from 0% to 4.9%. With industry-leading on-time performance for several months running, the airline has demonstrated its unwavering dedication to being India’s most dependable airline while growing its operations.

Two more Indian airlines companies will make major orders for Airbus and Boeing.(Opens in a new browser tab)

Akasa Air set a record for being one of the fastest-growing airlines in the 120-year history of international aviation by achieving a fleet size of 20 new aircraft within 12 months of beginning commercial operations. The initial fleet induction plan called for adding one brand-new aircraft every 15 days.

Additionally, Akasa Air will be the first airline in Asia to adopt the Boeing 737 MAX 737-8-200 variant to its fleet when it receives its 20th aircraft on August 1st, 2023. The order book for Akasa Air includes 76 jets, including 23 737-8s and 53 737-8-200 aircraft. The airline also remains 100% committed to ordering a three-digit number of aircraft by the end of 2023.

Akasa Air to Add 800 Staff and Fly Internationally(Opens in a new browser tab)

The landmark addition of its 20th aircraft, heralds the next chapter of growth in the Akasa Air story, driving Akasa’s foray into international skies, and allowing the airline to showcase its unique and category-re-defining service to the world. With this immense impetus to its growth plans, Akasa will get access to international flying opportunities as it prepares to commence international operations by December 2023.

In the belief that training is a crucial component of providing excellent customer service, Akasa Air keeps spending money on it. Due to this, numerous top-notch learning institutions have been established in significant American cities. With the capacity to train nearly 700 future-ready aviation professionals at once, the Akasa air Learning Academy (AALA) provides technologically advanced education for the modern aviation industry. The facility houses the sole door trainer for the Boeing 737 MAX in India, enabling our cabin crew to receive extensive safety training. The B737- 8200 Max Mid Exit was recently installed by the Academy as well.

Airlines

DOT Proposes New Passenger Compensation Rules for Flight Disruptions

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has unveiled a major initiative to enhance protections for air travelers affected by flight cancellations or significant delays caused by airlines.

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This Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeks public feedback on new measures that could require airlines to compensate passengers and provide necessary services automatically.

Key Proposals by the DOT:

Cash Compensation for Airline-Caused Disruptions
- Airlines may be required to pay passengers at least $200 in cash for flight disruptions caused by circumstances under their control, such as mechanical issues or IT failures.
- A tiered compensation system is being considered:
  - $200–$300 for domestic delays of 3–6 hours.
  - $375–$525 for delays lasting 6–9 hours.
  - $750–$775 for delays exceeding 9 hours.
- The DOT is exploring whether smaller airlines should have different compensation thresholds and whether compensation is needed if passengers are notified weeks in advance of a disruption.
Free Rebooking on the Next Available Flight
- Airlines may be obligated to rebook passengers at no extra cost if a flight is canceled or delayed by at least 3 hours domestically or 6 hours internationally.
- Rebooking options may include:
  - Flights operated by the airline or its codeshare partners.
  - Flights on other carriers with which the airline has a commercial agreement if no suitable options are available within 24 hours.
Provision of Meals, Lodging, and Transportation
- Airlines may need to cover meals, overnight accommodations, and transportation for stranded passengers.
- Minimum reimbursements could be established when services aren’t provided upfront, ensuring passengers can recoup costs even without submitting receipts, up to a defined limit.

The DOT’s proposals draw inspiration from consumer protection frameworks in countries like Canada, Brazil, the UK, and the European Union. Research suggests that EU compensation requirements have successfully reduced the frequency and length of delays, demonstrating the effectiveness of such measures.

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Passengers currently face numerous hurdles when seeking compensation or services, including vague policies, lack of upfront communication, and reliance on in-person requests at airports. The new rulemaking aims to close these gaps by establishing clear, enforceable standards for airlines.

Public input on the proposed measures will shape the final rules. The DOT hopes these changes will create a more accountable and passenger-friendly system, ensuring travelers are better supported during disruptions.

With these proposed rules, the DOT seeks to make airline travel more reliable and fair, setting a new standard for passenger rights in the United States.