Akasa Air is to purchase 150 737 MAX aircraft, augmenting an previous order from the low-cost Indian carrier, which has exclusively operated the type since launching operations in 2022.
The purchase of 737 MAX-8 and MAX-10 aircraft will increase Akasa Air’s total orders from Boeing to 226, with deliveries slated through 2032. It also represents the first major order announcement for the American aircraft manufacturer since the MAX-9 variant – not included in this deal – was grounded by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the wake of the Alaska Airlines incident.
“In additional to supporting our rapid domestic expansion, the efficiency and economics of these new airplanes position Akasa to launch international routes in the coming months,” said Vinay Dube, Akasa Air founder and CEO. The carrier currently serves 18 destinations with 22 aircraft and has captured approximately 4% of India’s domestic market.
Boeing’s 2023 Commercial Market outlook forecasts delivery of 2,705 new commercial aircraft over the next 20 years for the region, 90% of which will be single-aisle jets such as the 737 MAX.
In 2021, Akasa Air ordered an initial 72 737 MAX aircraft to build its fleet, valued at nearly $9 billion in list prices. An order for a further four 737-8s was placed in 2023, taking orders from the “world’s fastest growing airline” to 76 aircraft due to be delivered over the next four years.
This latest order, confirmed at the Wings India 2024 airshow, was previously unidentified on the Boeing orders and deliveries website after being finalised in December 2023.