Akasa Air Receives 23rd Boeing 737 MAX

Almost a month after adding two new Boeing 737 MAXs to its fleet and making the count of this aircraft to 22, Indian low-cost carrier Akasa Air has added a new one and now possesses an aggregate of 23 737 MAXs. Akasa Air is also set to receive its 24th out of a total of 150 737 MAXs soon.

Akasa Air’s big Boeing order

Akasa Air initially signed a deal of 72 aircraft with Boeing- a figure that rose to 76 during last year’s Paris Air Show. This comprises 53 high-capacity 737-8-200s and 23 737-8s. It is expected that these will be delivered over the next four years.

It was widely believed that Akasa Air would place a big order for Boeing by the end of 2023, but this did not happen. However, less than a month ago, Akasa ordered 150 737 MAX aircraft, including the MAX 10 variant. With this, Akasa Air became the first Indian airline to have placed an order of 200 aircraft within 17 months of operations.

Akasa Air will also be purchasing CFM LEAP-1B engines to power the engines of the 737 MAX.

Akasa’s expanding horizons

Akasa Air connects 17 cities in India. In operating over 900 weekly flights, 3 million revenue passengers have taken to the skies with it. Before starting its operations, Akasa Air had placed an order for 72 737 MAX aircraft, out of which 23 have been delivered. Over the next eight years, it is expected to have a fleet size of 204 aircraft.

Akasa started its operations only in August 2022, connecting Mumbai and Ahmedabad. Within the next six months, it was operating in 10 cities across India and currently serves in all 1-tier cities in the country. Akasa Air has included Srinagar, one of the most sought-after tourist destinations, as one of the newer cities to which it will take flights. Akasa Air will offer flights to Srinagar starting March 1, 2024. Akasa hopes to expand its network by 35% in 2024. The addition of the new 737 MAXs goes hand in hand with its expansion plans.

Photo: Akasa Air

Akasa Air was also recently declared as the most punctual airliner in the country as data released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) showed that the on-time score of Akasa Air was 78.2%, higher than any other airline in the country.

Akasa Air’s animation with the new aircraft

Akasa Air was buoyant with its 23rd 737 MAX and hinted at the possibility of adding a new one to its fleet:

“From Seattle’s lush landscapes to Keflavik’s cozy charm, from Larnaca’s sun-kissed shores to Hyderabad’s warm embrace – what a journey it’s been. Thrilled to welcome our 23rd aircraft to the growing Akasa fleet and here’s to exploring newer horizon. What’s more? Aircraft number 24.. Coming Soon”

What are your thoughts about Akasa Air’s Boeing 737 MAX aircraft? What do you make of the airline’s overall operations with the plane? Let us know what you think if the carrier and its plans in the comment section.