Akasa Air to Commence International Flights, Launching Mumbai-Doha Service on March 28

Akasa Air announced on Friday that it will commence its international operations starting from March 28, with Doha being its inaugural overseas destination. This move positions the emerging airline as the first Indian carrier to venture into international routes within just 19 months of its establishment.

“Commencing on March 28, 2024, Akasa Air will offer four direct flights per week, linking Mumbai with Doha, thereby enhancing air connectivity between Qatar and India. Flight bookings are now available,” stated Akasa Air in a press release.

Previously, Indian airlines were required to complete five years of domestic operations and maintain a fleet size of at least 20 aircraft before becoming eligible for international flights. However, in June 2016, the government eliminated the five-year criterion, making the fleet size the sole requirement for launching international services.

Akasa Air achieved its 20th aircraft milestone in August 2023, just a year after commencing commercial operations. Initially, the airline aims to focus on high-traffic regions such as the Middle East and Southeast Asia for its international ventures. Apart from Doha, Akasa Air has secured government approvals for flight operations to Riyadh, Jeddah, Doha, and Kuwait.

“We are thrilled to announce the commencement of our international services with the launch of our maiden destination — Doha, as part of our expanding network. Introducing four weekly flights directly connecting Mumbai, a pivotal Indian commercial center, will serve a diverse range of travelers from both nations, fostering tourism, commerce, and strengthening bilateral relations,” stated Vinay Dube, Founder and CEO of Akasa Air.

Dube further remarked, “Our entry into Qatar signifies the next phase of expansion as we progress towards our goal of being ranked among the top 30 airlines globally by the end of this decade.”

This announcement of international flight operations comes shortly after Akasa Air confirmed a firm order for 150 Boeing 737 MAX family aircraft, increasing its total order to 226 planes.

“These new additions to our fleet will enhance the operational capacity as we extend our reach and venture into international skies in the near future,” stated Dube upon announcing the order of 150 aircraft.

Presently, foreign airlines dominate the majority of passenger traffic to and from India. According to data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Indian carriers collectively held a 44.3 percent market share in terms of passengers on international flights during April-September (H1) of the current fiscal year. Among them, IndiGo led the market with a 17.8 percent share, while the combined Tata group airlines — Air India, Air India Express, and Vistara — accounted for 23.5 percent of international passengers in H1.