by Aakash Srivastava
IADB: Airbus, the European multinational aerospace giant recognized Akasa Airlines as the prospective client in the Indian Civil Aviation industry. The airline is yet to get operational but the process to create a fleet has already begun behind the doors.
Rakesh Jhunjhunwala backed Akasa Air has been in news for various reasons as experts believe that it’s arrival will help Indian civil aviation to bounce back which has witnessed steady growth since the government has realized normalcy and made various permission eventually. The management of Akasa airlines reportedly is in talks with a few aerospace manufacturing companies for the procurement of aircrafts, which are expected to be ultra-low-cost carriers.
Indian Aerospace and Defence Bulletin reached out to Airbus, inquiring if the new Akasa airlines is in talks with them or, not? In response to IA&DB, Airbus said that, “As a leading aircraft manufacturer we are in talks with potential buyers and prospective customers about their fleet requirements.”
However, the spokesperson of European multinational aerospace corporation declined to state the name of a specific customer but did indicate that talks are in process and some significant progress will be made soon. Recently, Boeing informed IA&DB that it recognizes Akasa airlines as potential customers and, “We always seek opportunities and talk with current and potential customers about how we can best support their fleet and operational needs,” said an informed Boeing official spokesperson.
Adding to this further, the US’ aerospace manufacturing giant said that they see Akasa airlines as one of credible customers from the Indian civil aviation sector, and to certain reservations, while the talks are on but it’s too early to make anything public.Reportedly Akasa airlines will have an Ultra-Low-Cost carrier in its fleet, IndiGo and Spicejet operate as low-cost carriers (LCC). Stock market investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala has said that he will launch an airline that will have upto 70 planes within four years.
SNV Aviation, which will fly under the brand Akasa Air, plans to offer flights from the upcoming summer of 2022, the airline said in an official statement. “We will continue to work with the regulatory authorities on all additional compliances required to successfully launch Akasa Air,” the airline’s CEO, Vinay Dube said in the statement
Indian business magnate Rakesh Jhunjhunwala has teamed up with Mr. Dube and former IndiGo CEO and President Aditya Ghosh to set up the airline. Rakesh Jhunjhunwala also recently met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as has been reported before. The airline has already completed hiring its top management. It has hired Ankur Goel, former head of IndiGo’s treasury and investor relations, as its Chief Financial Officer and Neelu Khatri has been appointed as head of corporate affairs.
