MUMBAI- Akasa Air (QP) plans to launch flights to Southeast Asia. Despite Boeing delays, the airline aims to expand capacity by 30–40% from Mumbai (BOM) and Delhi (DEL) in 2025.
The carrier committed to 72 Boeing 737 Max jets in 2022, subsequently expanding the agreement with four additional aircraft. The company further increased its investment in January by securing 150 more planes of the identical model.
Photo: Siddh Dhuri | MumbaiPlanesAkasa Air Expansion
Akasa Air (QP), holding a 5% domestic market share, announced on May 16, 2025, plans to launch flights to Southeast Asia. It is a key destination for 10 million outbound Indian travellers annually, per DGCA data.
Chief Commercial Officer Praveen Iyer, speaking to The Economic Times, outlined an aggressive international expansion. This includes plans with new routes to Far East destinations expected within months.
Akasa Air 25th Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 Aircraft | Photo: Akasa AirBoeing Delivery Delays
Boeing’s delivery delays slowed Akasa’s growth, with only 4 of 226 ordered jets delivered in 2024, per Reuters. Iyer noted that Boeing’s production issues, compounded by a seven-week strike, are resolving, with Akasa (QP) expecting its 28th aircraft in May 2025 and a fleet of 30 by July.
This supports plans to double Gulf route frequencies and add Southeast Asian cities, serving 45% of international passengers connecting through Mumbai (BOM).
Akasa Air (QP) faced significant hurdles due to Boeing’s production slowdown, with 310 of its 775 pilots grounded in 2024. Akasa (QP) ordered 72 Boeing 737 MAX jets in 2022, followed by 4 more in 2023 and 150 in January 2024, including MAX 10 and MAX 8-200 models, scheduled through 2032.
The resolution of Boeing’s supply chain issues, as confirmed by Iyer, enables Akasa (QP) to project a fleet of 54 aircraft by October 2026, down from an earlier goal of 72 by March 2027.
The airline’s $135 million capital raise in February 2025, backed by Azim Premji and the Jhunjhunwala family, strengthens its financial position for expansion.
Akasa’s focus on pilot utilisation, with 60% flying and most others expected to fly by year-end, mitigates operational disruptions.
Navi Mumbai; Photo: DronemanNew Airport Hubs
Akasa Air (QP) plans to station 5–7 aircraft each at Navi Mumbai (NMI) and Noida (DXN) airports, opening in late 2025, to alleviate slot constraints at Mumbai (BOM) and Delhi (DEL).
CEO Vinay Dube called these hubs “cornerstones” for growth, enabling 20% more flight connections from India’s largest cities. Navi Mumbai (NMI), a proxy for Mumbai (BOM), and Noida (DXN), supporting Delhi (DEL), will host Akasa’s operations, competing with Air India Express (IX) for early tenancy.
The new airports allow Akasa (QP) to expand its 23 domestic and 5 international destinations, including Doha (DOH) and Jeddah (JED), with Southeast Asia routes like Bangkok (BKK) planned for 2026.
Photo: Siddh Dhuri/ Mumbaiplanes, Industry Impact
Akasa Air’s expansion into Southeast Asia positions it against carriers like Thai Airways (TG) and IndiGo (6E) on routes from Mumbai (BOM) to Bangkok (BKK), where competition is fierce. With India’s aviation market projected to be the largest by 2047, per IATA, Akasa’s 4.7% domestic share trails IndiGo’s 60% but outpaces SpiceJet (SG).
The $1 billion fundraising plan, excluding Jhunjhunwala family equity, supports Akasa’s goal of 15% market share by 2030. Akasa’s codeshare with Etihad Airways (EY) strengthens its international appeal.
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Akasa Air to Station 5-7 Aircraft at New Jewar and Navi Mumbai Airports
The post Akasa Air Eyes New Flights to Southeast Asia in 2025 appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
