Akasa Air Joins IATA After Completing Mandatory Global Safety Audit
Akasa Air has joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA) after successfully completing the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), a mandatory requirement for airlines seeking membership in the global aviation body. The announcement was confirmed on January 9, according to Indian news agency PTI.
With this milestone, Akasa Air becomes the fifth Indian airline to secure IATA membership, joining a global industry association whose members collectively account for around 80% of worldwide air traffic. Founded in 1945, IATA plays a central role in setting commercial, operational, and safety standards that underpin international air transport.
In a statement, Akasa Air said the successful completion of the IOSA underscores its commitment to operating in line with internationally recognised safety and operational benchmarks. The IOSA programme is widely regarded as one of the most rigorous airline safety audits, covering areas such as flight operations, maintenance, ground handling, and organisational management.
Founded in 2020 by aviation entrepreneur Vinay Dube, Akasa Air is India’s youngest scheduled airline and has expanded rapidly since launching operations. IATA membership places the carrier alongside more than 360 airlines worldwide and gives it a formal platform to engage in global industry discussions on safety, sustainability, regulation, and operational best practices.
Akasa joins four other Indian carriers that are already IATA members: Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo, and SpiceJet. The addition of Akasa reflects the continued growth and increasing global integration of India’s aviation sector.
Commenting on the development, Sheldon Hee, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Asia-Pacific, welcomed Akasa Air to the association and highlighted India’s aviation potential. He noted that the country’s air transport industry supports approximately 7.7 million jobs and contributes USD53.6 billion to the economy, underlining the importance of strong safety and operational standards as the market expands.
Akasa Air currently operates a fleet of 31 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The airline serves 26 domestic destinations across India and six international cities, with a strategy focused on high-frequency routes, cost efficiency, and network expansion in both domestic and select overseas markets.
Vinay Dube said IATA membership would enhance Akasa Air’s global credibility and reinforce its positioning as a “future-ready” Indian airline. He added that participation in IATA will allow the carrier to align more closely with global standards while contributing to the evolution of the international aviation industry.
The move marks another step in Akasa Air’s transition from a start-up carrier to an established player within the global airline community.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, livemint.com