Akasa Air Makes History as First Non-Ryanair Airline to Receive Boeing 737-8-200

Akasa Air achieved a significant milestone by becoming the inaugural non-Ryanair carrier to operate the Boeing 737 MAX-8-200, marking a pivotal moment in the airline’s growth trajectory. The airline proudly welcomed its maiden Boeing 737 MAX-8-200 aircraft, bearing the registration VT-YAV, on August 1, 2023. The aircraft completed its journey from Seattle Boeing Field (BFI) to Bengaluru Kempegowda International Airport (BLR), with stopovers at Keflavik International Airport (KEF) in Iceland and Larnaca International Airport (LCA) in Cyprus.

Vinay Dube, the visionary founder and CEO of Akasa Air, expressed his excitement over this significant development. He emphasized, “The addition of this remarkable aircraft to our fleet signifies a new era of international growth for Akasa, instilling a sense of optimism for our future endeavors.”

Dube further highlighted the airline’s remarkable feat, stating, “Achieving a fleet size of 20 aircraft in just a span of 12 months is not only a monumental accomplishment for Akasa but also a testament to the potential of our nation that we can all take pride in.”

With the integration of this new aircraft, Akasa Air solidified its place as the fourth airline worldwide to operate the 737 MAX-8-200, aside from the three Ryanair Group affiliates – Ryanair, Buzz, and Malta Air. Max Kingsley-Jones, a senior consultant at Cirium, initially brought this noteworthy fact to light.

Ch-aviation.com data reveals that a total of 124 Boeing 737 MAX-8-200 units have been successfully delivered to the four airlines. In addition, Boeing’s future orders boast an impressive backlog of 222 737-MAX-8-200 aircraft, reflecting the industry’s confidence in this model’s potential.

Meanwhile, Akasa Air has a substantial order for 76 737 MAX aircraft, distributed between 23 737 MAX units and 53 737 MAX-8-200 variants. This order book expanded during the Paris Air Show 2023, demonstrating the airline’s commitment to modernizing its fleet. With the latest addition of the Boeing 737 MAX-8-200, the airline’s operational fleet now encompasses 20 advanced aircraft.

During the same occasion, Dube tantalizingly hinted at the airline’s forthcoming announcement of another significant aircraft order in the triple digits, scheduled to be unveiled before the conclusion of the current calendar year. This serves as a testament to Akasa Air’s continuous pursuit of growth and innovation within the aviation industry.