Akasa Air, India’s rapidly expanding airline, has officially launched operations in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. This launch establishes a new direct daily flight connection between Mumbai and Abu Dhabi.
The inaugural flight took off on July 11th, 2024, from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai at 5:05 PM IST and landed at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi at 6:50 PM AST. A celebratory event marked the occasion at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, featuring the traditional lighting of a ceremonial lamp by members of Akasa Air’s Executive Committee. The leadership of Mumbai International Airport Limited also attended, and a special boarding pass was presented to the first passenger of the inaugural flight.
This new route offers travelers the convenience of flying with India’s most reliable airline, providing seamless and cost-effective travel options between India and the United Arab Emirates. Commenting on the destination launch, Neelu Khatri, Co-Founder and SVP International, Akasa Air, stated, “We are pleased to commence operations from Abu Dhabi, the fourth international destination on our rapidly growing global network. The launch of daily direct flights connecting two prominent cities- Mumbai and Abu Dhabi, will provide affordable and convenient options for air travel on the route, and strengthen the air travel links between India and the UAE.”
Praveen Iyer, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer, Akasa Air, shared, “We are delighted to solidify our presence in the Middle East region with the launch of direct flights connecting Mumbai with Abu Dhabi. Home to a strong Indian diaspora and known for its unique tourist experiences, the city has become a popular destination amongst tourists. Moreover, its burgeoning trade prospects have consistently attracted business travellers from across the globe. This strategic expansion will enable us to cater to the ever-growing demand for air travel between India and UAE with reliable operations and affordable fares.”
Belson Coutinho, Co-Founder and Chief Marketing and Experience Officer, Akasa Air, added, “We are excited to bring the Akasa experience to Abu Dhabi, the capital of UAE. At Akasa Air, service excellence is at the heart of everything we do, and we strive to make every flight a memorable experience for our passengers. Travellers on the route can look forward to a warm flying experience with unique culinary offerings through our onboard meal service Café Akasa, backed by the signature service delivered by our crew members on board and on ground. Travellers also have the option to choose from a variety of customizable and all-inclusive holiday packages at affordable prices with Akasa Holidays.”
“We take pride in having redefined air travel in India within a short time, and as we spread our wings, we are confident that Akasa Air will become synonymous with service excellence across the globe,” Coutinho added.
Akasa Air ventured into international skies in March 2024 and has swiftly broadened its global presence. Currently, the airline operates flights to Doha, Riyadh, and Abu Dhabi, and has recently opened ticket sales for Jeddah. Additionally, Akasa Air has been granted traffic rights for Kuwait and Medina (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) and is set to further expand its international network in the coming months, bringing the signature Akasa experience to a global audience.
The airline has introduced several high-quality products and unique services to ensure a warm, inclusive, and comfortable flying experience. Its brand-new fleet offers ample legroom and enhanced comfort, with most aircraft equipped with USB ports for passengers to charge their devices. Café Akasa, the onboard meal service, features a variety of healthy and delicious meals, including festive menus and industry-first options such as Kombucha, providing a gourmet experience in the skies. Travelers can plan their trips to Abu Dhabi with Akasa Holidays, which offers customizable and all-inclusive holiday packages at affordable prices. Akasa Air’s Skyscore feature provides live scores of major sporting events onboard, and the airline’s Quiet Flights experience ensures a restful and undisturbed journey on early morning and late-night flights. To make travel more inclusive, Akasa Air has introduced safety instruction and onboard menu cards in Braille for passengers with visual impairments.
Since its launch in August 2022, Akasa Air has become a preferred carrier in India, known for its consistent on-time performance, operational efficiencies, and positive customer feedback. The airline has served over 10 million passengers and currently connects 22 domestic and four international cities, including Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi, Delhi, Guwahati, Agartala, Pune, Lucknow, Goa, Hyderabad, Varanasi, Bagdogra, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Port Blair, Ayodhya, Gwalior, Srinagar, Prayagraj, Gorakhpur, Doha (Qatar), Jeddah, Riyadh (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), and Abu Dhabi (UAE).
