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India’s newest airline awaits nod to start GCC flights

By Pramod Kumar
Akasa Air has applied for permission to operate flights to Doha, Qatar, Riyadh and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, as well as Kuwait Akasa Air
Akasa Air has applied for permission to operate flights to Doha, Qatar, Riyadh and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, as well as Kuwait

Akasa Air, India’s newest airline, is currently awaiting approval from the governments of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait to launch operations to the Gulf states, according to a media report.

“It’s going to be another few months. We’re hoping another three to four months. But we are a little dependent in terms of permissions we (need to) get from third parties from foreign countries,” the airline CEO Vinay Dube told CNBC-TV18, an Indian financial news channel.

The airline has already applied for permission to operate flights to Doha, Riyadh, Jeddah and Kuwait City.  

The company plans to follow a phased approach to international operations, Dube stated.

“The first half unequivocally, you should see us fly to these international destinations,” he added.

Akasa Air aims to have a fleet of 22 aircraft by the end of 2023, reaching 25 by March 2024 and doubling its fleet by the end of March 2025, the report said.

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