Akasa Air aims to increase the share of international routes in its overall capacity to approximately 40 per cent over the next few years, according to Chief Financial Officer Ankur Goel. The airline, which launched operations in August 2022, currently derives about 25 per cent of its total capacity from international flights.
Current International Footprint and Growth Ambitions
In an exclusive interview with ANI, Goel stated: "So, currently our international footprint is about 25 per cent of the total capacity. I think sometimes we have to remind ourselves that we're only three years old, four years old and for us to grow this fast. I think we are fairly happy with this. We could likely hit a 40 per cent number over the next couple of years when it comes to international markets."
The airline has rapidly expanded its network since its first commercial flight on August 7, 2022. It now serves more than 28 million passengers and connects 27 domestic and seven international destinations.
Fleet Capabilities and Geographic Focus
Goel explained that Akasa Air's current fleet can operate flights within a five to six-hour radius from major Indian cities, opening up numerous opportunities for international expansion. "Our planes can fly over a five to six-hour radius from the major cities in India. So we don't have a specific number or specific markets that we're looking at," he said.
Despite this broad potential, the airline's immediate focus remains on the Middle East as part of its first phase of international growth. "That said, we are focused on Middle Eastern markets in phase one," Goel stated.
New Routes and Future Plans
Akasa Air has also been expanding its presence in other international destinations. Goel noted that the airline announced flights to Phuket last year and plans to begin services to Hanoi later this year. "We announced Phuket last year. We have announced Hanoi to begin at the later part of this year and our focus on international will continue to remain exactly as it is," he said.
As a low-cost carrier, Akasa Air aims to cater to the growing demand for air travel in India. The airline's rapid growth reflects its strategy to capture a larger share of both domestic and international markets.
