Navitaire’s proven digital commerce solutions, digital experience capabilities, and cloud-first approach are uniquely suited to help visionary airlines like Akasa Air.
The sky embraces everyone, and so air travel should be inclusive and affordable for all is the motto of India’s youngest and newest airline, soon to be launched – Akasa Air. According to the CEO, Vinay Dubey Akasa Air is expecting its first aircraft delivery by early June 2022, with the intention to start commercial operations in July 2022. It recently revealed its much-anticipated brand identity with the unveiling of its ‘Rising A’ symbol and tagline, ‘It’s Your Sky’.
The new breed of Digital-first airlines
Striving for excellence, Akasa Air is busy signing agreements for exceptional travel experiences, recently they signed the cloud-enabled Navitaire Airline Platform to power its digital retailing strategy. It will leverage key solutions, including the New Skies order-based reservation and retailing system, Digital Platform, GoNow day-of-departure, and SkyLedger revenue accounting systems.
Commenting on the partnership, Anand Srinivasan, Co-founder and Chief Information Officer at Akasa Air said, “Our goal is to leverage best-in-class technology and build a data-driven organization and our partnership with a technology leader like Navitaire is a testament to the same. We are convinced that globally proven solutions like New Skies and SkyLedger will power our tech-enabled strategy and help us run reliable operations and offer affordable travel options to our customers.”
David P. Evans, Navitaire CEO said, “It is a pleasure to partner with Akasa Air as they launch this innovative, inclusive airline, and we look forward to supporting Akasa Air’s dynamic growth. Our proven digital commerce solutions, digital experience capabilities, and cloud-first approach are uniquely suited to help visionary airlines like Akasa Air leverage new technology specifically designed to help the leading digital pioneers of the skies move fast and grow fast. This experience and our shared culture let us focus on delivering what Akasa Air, one of today’s new breed of digital-first airlines, needs today and in the future.”
About Navitaire
Navitaire, an Amadeus company, provides technology and business solutions to the airline industry, powering over 60 of the world’s leading low-cost and hybrid carriers today. Navitaire is one of the first providers to move its entire airline platform of solutions to the cloud, offering its carriers dynamic scalability to keep pace with growth and access to leading-edge technology that supports modern offer & order retailing concepts. Its extensive API suite and proven retailing and distribution capabilities give airlines flexible options to offer bundled or a la carte ancillary services throughout a customer’s journey. Navitaire’s dynamic distribution, including its cloud-based NDC-enabled and digital channels, enables connections with industry and business partners, ranging from online travel agencies and airlines to travel commerce companies, all using modern technology.
Clean, green, and young fleet
India is one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world with unparalleled potential. There is already witnessing a strong recovery in air travel, and decades of growth. Akasa Air’s core purpose is to help power India’s growth engine and democratize air travel by creating an inclusive environment for all Indians regardless of their socio-economic or cultural backgrounds.
Akasa Air has placed a firm order of 72 Boeing 737 MAX airplanes, powered by CFM fuel-efficient, LEAP-1B engines. The 737 MAX family aircraft deliver superior efficiency in reducing fuel use and carbon emissions, fulfilling the airline’s promise of being an environmentally friendly company with the youngest and greenest fleet in the Indian skies.
Akasa Air’s order includes two variants from the 737 MAX family, including the 737-8 and the high-capacity 737-8-200. Providing the lowest seat-mile costs for a single-aisle airplane as well as high dispatch reliability and an enhanced passenger experience, the 737 MAX will ensure Akasa Air has a competitive edge in its dynamic home market. The 737 MAX family delivers superior efficiency, flexibility, and reliability while reducing fuel use and carbon emissions by at least 14% compared to the airplanes it replaces. India’s growing economy and expanding middle class will fuel strong demand for commercial flights, driving the need for more than 2,200 new airplanes in South Asia valued at nearly $320 billion over the next 20 years, according to Boeing’s 2021 Commercial Market Outlook forecast.
CFM’s advanced LEAP engine continues to set new industry standards for fuel efficiency and asset utilization, logging more than 12 million engine flight hours in commercial operation. The fleet is providing better fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions, as well as a significant improvement in noise compared to the best CFM56 engines while maintaining the CFM’s legendary reliability. The LEAP-1B engine entered into service on the Boeing 737 MAX in 2017. More than 600 aircraft have been delivered to some 66 operators worldwide and the fleet has logged more than 2.5 million engine flight hours.
About Akasa Air
Akasa Air is an upcoming ultra-low-cost Indian airline co-founded by billionaire and stocks trader Rakesh Jhunjhunwala and former Jet Airways CEO Vinay. It is a brand of SNV Aviation Private Limited, headquartered in the city of Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. They claim to be the most dependable airline, offering warm and efficient customer service, reliable operations, and affordable fares. Akasa’s youthful personality, employee-centric philosophy, tech-led approach, and culture of service will make this commitment a reality for all Indians. The carrier plans to offer commercial flights starting in the summer of 2022 to support the growing demand across India. With a commitment to being socially responsible. They plan to start international routes by 2023.
