NEW DELHI: Billionaire investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala-backed Akasa Air has taken delivery of the first of the 72 ordered Boeing 737 MAX in Seattle. The aircraft will fly to Delhi early next week where it will do proving flights as the final step for Akasa to get its air operator’s permit (AOP) and then start regular flights this summer.
The low cost carrier will get 18 B737 MAX by next March and the remaining 54 over next four years. Once Akasa has 20 aircraft in its fleet by next summer, it will become eligible to fly abroad too.
Akasa founder, MD & CEO Vinay Dube said: “This is indeed a symbolic milestone in the journey of Akasa Air, bringing us one step closer to the process of obtaining our AOP and leading to our commercial launch…. focussed on the task of delivering on our vision to transform India’s air transportation ecosystem, support the nation’s economic growth engine and help fellow Indians chase their dreams…. I, along with our team, are looking forward to receiving our first aircraft in Delhi early next week as it arrives from Seattle.”
