Akasa Air, India’s youngest airline founded in 2020, has become a member of International Air Transport Association (IATA), making it the fifth Indian airline to join the global airline grouping. IATA represents over 360 airlines, accounting for more than 80% of global air traffic.
Why Akasa Air’s IATA Membership Matters
- IATA membership is a global benchmark of safety, operational reliability, and governance.
- Enables participation in industry-wide dialogue, formulation of global best practices, and collaboration on:
- Safety management
- Digital transformation
- Sustainable aviation
- Enhances global credibility, paving the way for future interline and codeshare arrangements.
Key Requirement Fulfilled: IOSA
- Akasa Air successfully qualified the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) in December 2025
- IOSA is:
- A mandatory prerequisite for IATA membership
- A strict, internationally recognised safety and operational audit
Indian Airlines that are IATA Members
India now has five IATA-member airlines:
- Air India
- Air India Express
- IndiGo
- SpiceJet
- Akasa Air
About Akasa Air
- Founded: 2020
- Founder & CEO: Vinay Dube
- Early Investor: Late Rakesh Jhunjhunwala
- Invested $35 million for ~40% stake
- First commercial flight: 7 August 2022
- Passengers carried: 23+ million
Network
- 26 domestic and 6 international destinations
- International cities include: Doha, Jeddah, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait City, Phuket
Fleet and Expansion Plans
- Current fleet: 31 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft
- Future plan:
- 226 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft over 10 years
- Powered by CFM LEAP-1B engines
- Aircraft features:
- High fuel efficiency
- Lower carbon emissions
- ~40% quieter cabin
Financial and Operational Outlook
- FY26 capacity growth (ASKs): >30%
- Expected improvement in RASK (Revenue per Available Seat Kilometre)
- Cargo and ancillary services profitable, enabling:
- Lower base fares
- Strong financial resilience
- Vision: To be among the top 30 global airlines by the end of the decade
India’s Aviation Sector: Big Picture
- Supports 7.7 million jobs
- Contributes US$53.6 billion to the economy
- Akasa’s entry into IATA strengthens India’s presence in global aviation governance