Categories: Travel

Akasa Air goes international, inaugural flight flies to Doha from Mumbai, ET TravelWorld

Akasa Air, known for its rapid growth in India’s aviation sector, has officially commenced international operations with the launch of non-stop flights connecting Mumbai and Doha. The inaugural flight departed from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai at 1745hrs IST on March 28 and arrived at Hamad International Airport in Doha at 1940hrs AST. This new route signifies Akasa Air’s strategic move to expand its global presence and enhance connectivity between India and Qatar.

The commencement of the Mumbai-Doha route is a significant milestone for Akasa Air, featuring four non-stop flights per week to facilitate travel and trade between the two countries. The inaugural flight ceremony at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport was attended by key executives of Akasa Air, including Neelu Khatri (Co-Founder and SVP International), Ankur Goel (Chief Financial Officer), Belson Coutinho (Co-Founder and Chief Marketing and Experience Officer), and Bhavin Joshi (Co-Founder and Sr. Vice President – Strategy).

During the event, a ceremonial lamp was lit to mark the inaugural flight, and a special boarding pass was presented to the first passenger. The occasion also witnessed an all-women operating crew comprising two pilots and five cabin crew members, adding a touch of inclusivity and celebration to the launch.

As part of its expansion strategy and in response to strong demand, Vistara has announced the deployment of its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on the Delhi – Bali route, effective from 31st March 2024. This move comes in anticipation of increased travel during the upcoming summer season. Vistara initially launched daily non-stop flights on this route in December 2023, operated by its A321LR aircraft, becoming the sole airline to offer direct flights between Delhi and Bali.

With the flight’s convenient schedule, travellers from various Indian cities like Ahmedabad, Goa, Varanasi, Lucknow, Bengaluru, Kochi, and Delhi will have seamless connectivity to Doha via Mumbai. Akasa Holidays, a subsidiary of Akasa Air, also offers customizable and affordable holiday packages for travelers looking to explore Doha.Akasa Air has secured traffic rights for three other international destinations – Kuwait, Jeddah, and Riyadh – signaling its ambitious plans for further global expansion in the near future. Since its inception in August 2022, Akasa Air has served over 7.75 million passengers and established connections with 21 cities across India and now Doha in Qatar.

The flight schedule for QP70 includes a departure from Mumbai to Doha at 17:45, with an expected arrival time of 19:40 on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Similarly, QP71 includes a departure from Doha to Mumbai at 20:40, with an expected arrival time of 2:45 (+1) on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.