Summary
- Indian low-cost carrier Akasa Air has launched latest flights to Port Blair, increasing low-cost connectivity into the favored tourist destination.
- The brand new routes come amid a surge in demand for reasonably priced travel to the region, with the Indian Government seeking to bolster tourism and trade within the Andaman and Nicobar islands.
- In 2024, Akasa Air is seeking to expand its network into the Middle East and other South Asian destinations.
Indian low-cost carrier Akasa Air has officially launched services to Port Blair’s Veer Savarkar International Airport (IXZ) from its hubs at Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) in Bengaluru and Chennai International Airport (MAA), opening up two latest air routes to the favored tourist destination.
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Latest additions
Departing Friday morning, the inaugural service from Port Blair landed successfully in Bengaluru at 14:50 IST, following a temporary stopover in Chennai at 13:00 IST. Akasa Air will deploy its Boeing 737 MAX fleet on service to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands every day. Flights between Chennai and Port Blair will probably be direct, while Bengaluru will function an extra stop with no change of aircraft for Akasa Air.
In a press release, CCO Praveen Iyer noted the continued popularity of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands with holidaymakers in recent times and the airline’s commitments to bolstering regional connectivity across India.
Photo: Akasa Air
In response to the airline, the launch of the brand new routes comes amid a surge in demand for reasonably priced travel to the archipelago, because it supports the federal government’s ongoing efforts to enhance tourism and trade through the region.
Chief Marketing and Experience Officer Belson Coutinho expressed similar enthusiasm for the airline’s latest connection, emphasizing Akasa Air’s recent customer-focused additions to its services, including the inflight Café Akasa and Pets on Akasa. Coutinho added,
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Despite its distance from mainland India, Port Blair stays relatively well-connected. Throughout the winter travel season, the islands see an uptick in tourism as Indian holidaymakers flock to the region’s tropical beaches for a fast getaway.
Akasa Air will directly compete against Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet on the Chennai to Port Blair route, with IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Vistara also offering direct every day services to Bengaluru. Over 1,000 flights are set to operate to and from Port Blair through December, with Akasa Air’s schedule totaling 34 round-trip flights. The carrier will offer over 6,400 seats in the course of the month before scaling up operations in January.
Growing Network
Since its launch lower than 18 months ago, Akasa Air has already welcomed over 6 million passengers, adding connections between 17 cities in India.
Photo: Akasa Air
Moving into 2024, the airline is eyeing expansion into the Middle East, with flights to Doha Hamad International Airport (DIA), Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport (RUH), and Kuwait International Airport (KWI) currently undergoing the method required to receive relevant approvals. Other potential international destinations which have been floated include Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and the Maldives.
Keep your eyes peeled over the approaching weeks for a “three-digit aircraft order” confirmed to be on the cards as Akasa Air eyes further expansion through the following decade.
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What other destinations would you prefer to see Akasa Air add to its network? Tell us within the comments.