Rakesh Jhunjhunwala's Akasa Air Expects To Fly From Next Year
NDTV
Akasa Air, backed by Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, said it expects to start flying next year after getting initial clearance from Civil Aviation Ministry
Akasa Air, backed by billionaire Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, said on Monday it expects to start flying next year after getting initial clearance from the Civil Aviation Ministry to launch the country's latest ultra-low cost carrier.The approval comes at a time when the country's aviation industry is reeling from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with airlines losing billions of dollars, but the sector's long-term prospect makes the country a hot market for plane makers Boeing and Airbus.
SNV Aviation, which will fly under the Akasa Air brand, said in a statement it has received a "no objection certificate" from the ministry and expects to begin flights across India in the summer of 2022.
Akasa Air CEO Vinay Dube said in the statement the airline will continue to work with the regulatory authorities on all additional compliances required to successfully launchThe company did not elaborate but under requirements to start an airline, it will also need clearance from aviation watchdog, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.Mr Jhunjhunwala, known as "India's Warren Buffett" for his successful stock investments, teamed up with Aditya Ghosh, former CEO of IndiGo - the country's biggest carrier - and Mr Dube to launch the carrier to tap into demand for domestic air travel.
