In a significant move to bolster its fleet and expand its global footprint, Akasa Air, India’s emerging airline, announced on Thursday its order for 150 Boeing 737 MAX narrowbody planes. The announcement, made at the “Wings India” air show in Hyderabad, marks the first major order for Boeing’s MAX jetliner program since a mid-air cabin panel incident in the U.S. earlier this month.
The deal, valued in the billions, was not accompanied by detailed financial terms. Akasa Air anticipates the delivery of the Boeing 737 MAX 10 and MAX 8-200 aircraft within the next eight years. The strategic decision to exclude the MAX 9 version, grounded after the recent Alaska Airlines cabin panel blowout, aligns with the current operational preferences of Indian airliners, who do not currently operate the MAX 9 model.
Despite challenges faced by the aviation industry globally, India remains the world’s fastest-growing aviation market, with increasing travel demands surpassing the available aircraft supply. The order reflects Akasa Air’s ambitious plans to strengthen its position in the industry and explore international routes beyond its current domestic operations.
Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia expressed optimism about the country’s aviation sector, predicting a surge in fleet size to 2,000 over the next decade from the current 700. The country’s aviation giants, including IndiGo and Air India, along with Akasa, currently have orders pending for more than 1,500 planes following multi-billion dollar deals announced last year.
Akasa Air, which began operations in 2022, has rapidly captured a 4% market share since its inception. While facing initial challenges due to the departure of a significant number of pilots last year, the airline has successfully navigated through the setback, overcoming operational hurdles that had initially cost it market share.
The announcement comes at a time when the aviation industry converges in Hyderabad for the “Wings India” air show, attracting attention from global plane makers, airlines, and government officials. With the focus shifting toward international routes, Akasa Air aims to strengthen its presence alongside established global carriers, such as Emirates, currently dominating the international traffic market.
As the aviation landscape in India continues to evolve, Akasa’s order for Boeing 737 MAX jets positions the airline for future growth and increased competitiveness in the dynamic and rapidly expanding global aviation market.