Boeing and Akasa Air announced at Wings India 2024 that the airline has placed an additional order for 150 737 MAX aircraft, including the 737-10 and 737-8-200 variants.
Since starting operations in 2022, Akasa Air has captured approximately 4% of India’s domestic market, serving 18 destinations with a fleet of 22 737 MAX jets, of the -8 variant.
“We are excited to announce this historic order of 150 new Boeing aircraft, increasing our total Boeing orders to 226 jets. In addition to supporting our rapid domestic expansion, the efficiency and economy of these new aircraft position Akasa to launch international routes in the coming months,” said Vinay Dube, founder and CEO of Akasa Air.
“The lower carbon emissions of the 737 MAX family allow us to remain focused on sustainable operations, while also providing our environmentally conscious passengers with a more comfortable way to fly. Sustainability is at the core of our business, and we strive for more opportunities to reduce our environmental impact,” he added.
The Certification Bet: the 737-10, which exists only on paper
“This milestone demonstrates the strength of our partnership with Akasa Air and is a testament to the capabilities of the 737 MAX family to further the airline’s operational priorities,” said Stephanie Pope, Chief Operating Officer of Boeing.
“The efficiency and versatility of the 737-10 and 737-8-200 will support Akasa Air’s expansion to meet the soaring demand for air travel in the region for many years to come,” Pope added.
Pope emphasizes the efficiency of the 737-8200, proven by operators like Ryanair, and that of the 737-10, which is theoretical because the aircraft has not yet completed its certification: furthermore, the recent problems of the -9 and the increased scrutiny of the FAA on Boeing’s processes could delay – if not halt – the -10’s campaign to obtain its type certificate.
It is evident that Akasa is betting that the manufacturer will complete this procedure – however complex – in time for the agreed delivery, or that any potential delays or cancellation and change for another variant are well compensated. Today, the future of the 737 MAX -7 and -10 is, to put it elegantly, complicated. But we shall see.
In the 2023 version of the Commercial Market Outlook, Boeing forecasts the delivery of 2,705 new commercial aircraft over the next 20 years for India and South Asia, nearly 90% of which will be single-aisle jets.
This forecast is before the Alaska -9 door blowout, so the 2024 CMO will need some adjustment. Whether it’s up or down depends entirely on the manufacturer.
