Akasa Air Enters IATA, Becomes India’s Fifth Member of Global Airline Body

Akasa Air, India’s youngest airline founded in 2020, has become a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). IATA represents over 360 airlines worldwide and handles more than 80% of global air traffic. This membership marks a major milestone for the fast-growing Indian airline.

Akasa qualified for the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) in December, which is mandatory for joining IATA. This shows that the airline meets global safety standards.

About Akasa Air

Akasa Air was founded by Vinay Dube. Late investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala had invested $35 million for nearly a 40% stake. The airline started its first commercial flight on August 7, 2022.

Since then, Akasa has served over 23 million passengers and now connects 26 domestic and six international cities.

Why IATA Membership Matters?

Through IATA membership, Akasa Air will:

• Take part in global airline discussions
• Help develop best industry practices
• Work on safety, digital growth, and sustainable aviation
• Strengthen its global image

IATA’s Asia-Pacific Vice President Sheldon Hee said India’s aviation sector supports 7.7 million jobs and adds $53.6 billion to the economy. He welcomed Akasa’s role in shaping the future of aviation.

Vinay Dube said this step will boost Akasa’s global credibility and help it become a future-ready airline.

Five Indian Airlines in IATA

With Akasa’s entry, India now has five IATA member airlines:

• Air India
• Air India Express
• IndiGo
• Akasa Air
• SpiceJet

Akasa’s Big Future Plans

Akasa aims to become one of the top 30 airlines in the world by the end of this decade. The airline plans to operate 226 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft over the next ten years. Currently, it has 31 planes.

In FY26, Akasa expects its capacity to grow by over 30%. It also plans to add five more aircraft this year, taking the fleet to 35 planes. The airline will have around 770–775 pilots by year-end.

Strong Financial Performance

In FY25, Akasa Air showed impressive growth:

• Revenue grew by 49%
• EBITDA margins improved by 50%
• Load factor crossed 87%
• Capacity grew by 48%
• Cost per seat (excluding fuel) fell by 7%

These numbers show that the airline is growing fast while keeping costs low.

Cargo and Extra Services

Akasa has built a strong business beyond passenger tickets. It offers over 25 extra services, such as seat selection and add-ons, which bring extra income.

By March 2025, Akasa carried nearly 100,000 tonnes of cargo, becoming an important player in India’s air cargo sector. It also works with more than 1,150 corporate partners and has secured fresh investments for long-term stability.