India’s civil aviation authorities have granted approval to the new domestic low-cost carrier, Akasa Air, to commence international operations in three countries: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar. These rights have been allocated in accordance with existing bilateral agreements.
However, the airline will have to wait to initiate flights to popular destinations like Dubai, as the current bilateral agreements for this region have been fully utilized.
To proceed, Akasa Air must now apply for official designation as an Indian airline and seek approval from the respective countries before applying for airport slots.
This development comes at a challenging time for the airline, as it grapples with a significant pilot exodus. Currently, Akasa Air operates a fleet of 20 aircraft. The eligibility to operate international flights is based on the amended 0/20 rule, which requires Indian carriers to have a minimum of 20 aircraft.
However, it’s worth noting that bilateral flying rights with several key destinations for Indian travelers, such as Dubai, Sharjah, or Ras Al Khaimah, are currently either fully or nearly fully allocated. This makes it challenging for new carriers like Akasa Air to commence flights or for existing airlines to expand their capacities.
