Akasa Air Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer Praveen Iyer
Three years since its inception, Akasa Air has been focusing on network growth, progressively moving to a multi-gateway network strategy, the airline’s Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer, Praveen Iyer, told businessline.
According to Iyer, the airline has moved beyond its initial phase of expansion.
He told businessline that the airline is now focused on creating an interconnected operational structure that strengthens both domestic as well as international connectivity.
“Connecting traffic is now the best-performing segment for us, contributing nearly 15 per cent of total passenger volume,” he said, adding that Akasa’s domestic gateways at Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru are steadily emerging as key transfer points.
International footprint
Besides, Akasa is preparing to deepen its international footprint, with plans to launch services to Sharjah.
This follows recent expansions into destinations such as Kuwait and Phuket.
“We are currently engaged in the approval process for Sharjah,” Iyer noted.
Interestingly, while Akasa maintains a strong cost orientation, Iyer clarified that the airline does not view itself as a conventional low-cost carrier.
“We won’t call ourselves a budget airline,” he said.
“Nearly one out of every three passengers flying with us today is a corporate traveller. Our focus is on comfort, service quality, and a superior onboard experience.”
Furthermore, Iyer reiterated Akasa’s commitment to its long-term growth plan, which includes the induction of 196 additional aircraft over the next seven years.
The airline has an order book of 226 aircraft, of which 30 are already in operation and the remaining 196 are scheduled for phased delivery.
Additionally, he noted that India’s aviation market has outpaced even the most optimistic expectations the airline had during its early planning stages.
Phenomenal growth
“When we created our business plan in 2020–21, we underestimated India’s potential. The growth we’ve seen since then has been phenomenal,” Iyer explained.
Citing industry data, he pointed out that the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for India’s available seat kilometres (ASKM) had slowed from an average of 17-18 per cent between 2003 and 2019 to around 3 per cent between 2019 and 2024.
Nevertheless, the outlook for the next two decades remains strong, with consistent 6-7 per cent annual growth expected as demand continues to expand across both metro and regional markets.
In addition, the airline, he said, continues to evaluate opportunities under the government’s regional connectivity scheme but remains selective due to its current aircraft type.
“With our growing fleet, multiple gateways, and a balanced approach to cost and comfort, Akasa Air is well-positioned to play a defining role in India’s next phase of aviation growth,” Iyer added.
Published on November 10, 2025
