Akasa Air (QP, Mumbai International) is on track to launch commercial flight operations later this month after having secured its air operator's certificate (AOC), #S-33, from the Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on July 7. The permit is valid for one year and is the last of the regulatory hurdles the start-up must clear before launching.

“We are extremely thankful to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the DGCA for their constructive guidance, active support and the highest levels of efficiency throughout the AOC process," founder and chief executive Vinay Dube said in a statement. "We now look forward to opening our flights for sale, leading to the start of commercial operations by late July. This will begin our journey towards building India’s greenest, most dependable, and most affordable airline."

Akasa Air has only a single aircraft in its fleet at present - B737-8 VT-YAA (msn 62871) on lease from Griffin Global Asset Management - but is expecting another two to arrive before launching. Thereafter, it expects to add two MAX to its fleet every month with the aim of operating 18 by the end of fiscal 2022-23. Thereafter, it will add 12-14 aircraft every 12 months, after which its fleet should tally 72 over five years.