Indian Startup Akasa Air Allocated QP Airline Code

Simple Flying

By Gaurav Joshi

Published May 18, 2022

The airline has given another update as it prepares for a launch later this year.

The consistently sharp rise in jet fuel prices and a weak Indian Rupee has clouded the outlook of the Indian aviation industry, which is still struggling to recover from the pandemic. Photo: Akasa Air

The soon-to-be-launched airline Akasa Air has revealed its airline code that will be designated for its flights once it starts operations. From its initial days when the airline was just an idea to now, we know a lot more about the shape and form of its structure and future operations – from aircraft type and livery to the reservations system and the airline code.

QP

Indian skies will soon witness flights bearing the code QP, with Akasa Air announcing it as its airline code on May 17th. The carrier, which is planning to start commercial operations a few months from now, has been active on social media giving updates on its progress ahead of the launch.

If all goes according to plans, India will soon have two more airlines crisscrossing the skies in a matter of months. Akasa’s announcement follows hot on the heels of Jet Airways completing its proving flights to get an AOC from India’s aviation regulator, the DGCA.

Jet’s social media team engaged in a light-hearted exchange on Twitter with Akasa Air, claiming to “gatecrash” the party together and being eager to “Jet together” on this new adventure.

Teething troubles

Things seem to be moving along fairly well at Akasa even though it hit a minor roadblock of delayed delivery of its first aircraft that was supposed to be used for its proving flights. The carrier’s management was fairly confident of receiving their first Boeing 737 MAX airplane in the second half of April and operating their first flight by May end or early June.

However, the delay has pushed back the plan slightly, with new estimates suggesting the launch to take place sometime in July. The carrier’s CEO, Vinay Dube, told the Press Trust of India that they expect their first aircraft delivery by early June 2022, with the intention to start commercial operations in July 2022.

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Meanwhile, the airline is busy making progress behind the scene in other departments, such as hiring pilots, flight attendants, and employees for back-office functions while making other crucial appointments for top-end positions.

Akasa also finalized its reservations system provider, giving the responsibility to Minneapolis-based Navitaire – an Amadeus company that provides technology and business solutions to the airline industry.

Long term plans

The airline has made swift progress in the last few months, from finalizing a deal for Boeing 737 MAX airplanes at the Dubai Air Show last year to revealing its brand identity and sharing its overall long-term plans.

Dube has mentioned in his previous interviews that Akasa will have services from metros to tier II and III cities. There will also be flights from metros to metros so that the aircraft is moved around the system.

He further said the airline plans to have 18 aircraft on the ground as part of its fleet within 12 subsequent months of launching and then add 12 to 14 every year, making it 72 in five years.

For now, everything hinges on Akasa getting its first aircraft and completing its proving flights for the AOC. With Jet Airways successfully concluding its own certification flights, we now have a good idea of the process.

What do you think about Akasa’s airline code? Please share your opinions in the comment section.