Boeing delivers the first 737 Max to Akasa Air

Rakesh Jhunjhunwala backed new airline Akasa Air received the first 737 Max plane from Boeing on Thursday in Seattle, USA.

Akasa Air inked a contract with Boeing on November 26 of last year to buy 72 Max aircraft, three months after the Indian aviation regulator DGCA granted the Max planes the go-ahead.

Vinay Dube, founder, managing director, and chief executive officer of Akasa Air, commented on the successful delivery of the first aircraft on Thursday: “This is indeed a symbolic milestone in the journey of Akasa Air, bringing us one step closer to the process of obtaining our Air Operator’s Permit (AOP) and leading to our commercial launch.”

The airline acquired the no-objection certificate from the ministry of civil aviation in August 2021 to begin conducting commercial flights.

The airline is supported by renowned investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala as well as aviation legends Vinay Dube and Aditya Ghosh.

“With a strong commitment to democratize the skies,” the airline stated in a statement, “the airlines’ total purchase of 72 aircraft comprises an initial delivery of 18 aircraft by March 2023, followed by delivery of the remaining 54 aircraft over the next four years.”

A moment to remember for ages! #QPComesHome #TeamAkasa
Photo credit: @Boeing pic.twitter.com/dkFpb5RdMw

— Akasa Air (@AkasaAir) June 16, 2022