Mumbai — India’s youngest airline, Akasa Air, marked a major fleet milestone this week with the delivery of its 29th Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, as the carrier prepares to ramp up operations significantly from the newly opened Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA).
The fast-growing low-cost airline confirmed that the newest addition to its fleet arrived at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Thursday night. The aircraft is part of Akasa’s original order for 72 Boeing 737 MAX jets, with an expanded agreement for additional aircraft announced earlier this year.
“With the arrival of our 29th aircraft, we’re on track to not only expand our domestic footprint but also accelerate our international growth strategy,” said Vinay Dube, CEO of Akasa Air. “This milestone reflects our long-term commitment to providing affordable, efficient, and reliable air travel across India and beyond.”
Major Expansion from Navi Mumbai
Coinciding with the fleet expansion, Akasa Air announced plans to operate 50 daily departures from Navi Mumbai International Airport, which began partial operations earlier this year. The airline will be one of the airport’s primary anchor tenants as it scales up to become a full-service hub over the next two years.
The carrier said it will initially connect Navi Mumbai to major metro cities including Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai, before expanding to tier-2 and tier-3 destinations.
“Navi Mumbai represents a transformative opportunity for Indian aviation. We intend to play a leading role in making it a high-connectivity hub,” Dube said.
Akasa’s growth at NMIA is seen as a strategic move to reduce congestion at Mumbai’s existing airport while tapping into the rising demand from the city’s eastern suburbs and surrounding regions.
Industry’s Fastest-Growing New Airline
Since its launch in August 2022, Akasa Air has quickly emerged as one of the fastest-growing airlines in Indian aviation history, thanks to its fuel-efficient fleet, aggressive network strategy, and customer-centric branding. The airline currently serves over 25 cities across India and recently launched its first international services to the Middle East.
The airline’s all-737 MAX fleet offers improved fuel efficiency and range, enabling Akasa to expand into medium-haul international routes while keeping operational costs low. Industry observers note that Akasa’s rapid scale-up is backed by strong investor confidence and disciplined management.
“Akasa’s expansion is notable not just for its speed, but for its focus on underserved airports and smarter infrastructure partnerships like Navi Mumbai,” said Meera Bhatia, an aviation analyst at CAPA India. “This approach is reshaping domestic connectivity dynamics.”
Looking Ahead
With plans to reach a 50-aircraft fleet by mid-2026 and expand into Southeast Asia and East Africa, Akasa Air is positioning itself as a serious contender in the region’s low-cost carrier landscape. The airline is also reportedly in talks to establish a codeshare partnership with an international carrier to boost connectivity and feed traffic into its growing network.
As Navi Mumbai International Airport continues to ramp up operations, Akasa’s early and aggressive positioning is expected to give it a strategic edge in the hyper-competitive Indian aviation market.