Akasa: Akasa buys 4 more B737s, 3-digit order by year-end – Times of India

NEW DELHI: India’s youngest emerging airline Akasa on Wednesday ordered four more aircraft at the Paris Air Show and will be placing a three-digit order before end of this year.
“We are excited to add four more Boeing 737-8 to support our international expansion, taking our initial order of 72 aircraft to 76 to be delivered in the next four years. We are also on track to finalise another significant three-digit aircraft order and will be ready to announce it before the end of the calendar year,”Vinay Dube, Akasa founder and CEO, said.
Backed by late billionaire investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, Akasa had started flying last August. It currently has 19 aircraft in its fleet and the 20th, which will make it eligible to fly abroad, is expected next month. The airline’s current order book comprises of 76 planes.
“In addition to supporting our rapid domestic expansion, these (new order) airplanes allow us to take full advantage of the B737-8 aircraft with its unparalleled range, as we prepare our foray into international routes. The fuel efficiency and lower carbon emissions of the B737-8 allows us to remain focused on sustainable operations, while also providing our environmentally conscious passengers with a more comfortable way to fly. Sustainability is at the core of our business, and we strive for more opportunities to reduce our impact to the environment,” said Dube.
Brad McMullen, Boeing senior VP of commercial sales and marketing, said, “This follow-on order by Akasa demonstrates the capabilities of the B737 MAX in the world’s fastest-growing commercial aviation market. The efficiency and range of the 737-8 support Akasa Air’s plan to expand domestic and regional networks.”