In a significant development for Indian aviation, Akasa Air, the country’s fastest-growing airline, has announced its foray into international operations with Doha, the capital of Qatar, as its inaugural destination. The airline’s maiden international route will connect Mumbai with Doha, commencing on 28th March 2024.
The launch of international flights by Akasa Air marks a historic milestone, as the airline achieves this feat within an impressive 19 months since its inception. With this move, Akasa Air becomes the first Indian carrier to take flight beyond the country’s borders within such a short span of time.
Passengers can now book their seats for the four weekly flights between Mumbai and Doha, with return fares starting at INR 29,012. The introduction of direct flights between these two key cities is expected to enhance air connectivity and facilitate travel between Qatar and India.
Vinay Dube, Founder and CEO, Akasa Air, expressed his enthusiasm about the airline’s international expansion, stating, “We are delighted to announce our international operations with the launch of our first destination – Doha, to our growing network. The introduction of four flights a week, connecting directly with Mumbai, a key Indian commercial hub, will cater to a diverse set of travelers from the two countries, facilitating tourism, commerce, and strengthening bilateral ties.”
Looking ahead to 2024, Sodhi predicts a resurgence in corporate travel, with business travellers displaying increased confidence and planning trips to foster business growth and strengthen professional relationships. Notably, major global airlines are expected to exceed pre-pandemic capacity levels, with two percent more seats offered in 2024 compared to 2019, albeit with a six percent reduction in the number of flights.
The launch of operations to Doha aligns with Qatar’s tourism strategy 2030, aimed at positioning the country as the fastest-growing tourism destination in the Middle East by 2030.As Akasa Air expands its global footprint, the airline further said it aims to becoming one of the world’s top 30 airlines by the end of the decade.
