Akasa Air joins IATA, Strengthening India’s presence in the global aviation ecosystem

National, January 09, 2026: Akasa Air, India’s fastest-growing airline, has become a member of International Air Transport Association (IATA), the trade association representing over 360 carriers across the world that account for more than 80 per cent of global air traffic. This marks a significant milestone in the airline’s journey and reflects Akasa Air’s growing role in the global aviation landscape.

 

Akasa Air’s admission into IATA in just over 3 years of commencing operations follows the airline’s remarkable achievement of the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), a major safety milestone recognizing its global operational standards, which is a mandatory prerequisite for the membership. The achievement underscores Akasa Air’s strong safety culture and adherence to internationally benchmarked operational processes.

 

IATA plays a critical role in shaping international aviation standards across safety, security, sustainability, technology and operational efficiency, while also providing a platform for collaboration among airlines, regulators and industry partners worldwide.

 

Akasa Air’s induction into IATA enhances the airline’s global standing and enables deeper engagement with international stakeholders. Through this membership, Akasa Air will actively participate in industrywide dialogue, contribute to the development of best practices, and collaborate on initiatives related to safety management, digital transformation and sustainable aviation which are the key focus areas for the future of global air travel.

 

Commenting on the development,  Sheldon Hee, Regional Vice President for Asia-Pacific  for IATA said: “We are excited to welcome Akasa Air as an IATA member. India’s aviation potential is huge, with the industry supporting 7.7 million jobs and US$53.6 billion in economic contribution. We look forward to engaging with Akasa Air and to their active participation in shaping the airline industry’s agenda, priorities and initiatives in India, the Asia Pacific region, and globally.”
  

Vinay Dube, Founder and CEO, Akasa Air, said: “IATA plays a central role in shaping the global aviation ecosystem by establishing rigorous industry benchmarks and fostering collaboration across key stakeholders worldwide. Akasa Air’s membership underscores our disciplined approach to growth, and our unwavering commitment to meeting the highest global standards of safety, operational excellence and sustainability. We are confident that this association will strengthen our global credibility and position Akasa as a future-ready Indian airline on the world stage.”

 

Since commencing operations, Akasa Air has focused on building a resilient, efficient and customercentric airline, underpinned by robust governance and a long-term commitment to responsible growth. Its induction into IATA marks an important step in this journey, reinforcing the airline’s intent to actively contribute to the evolution of the global aviation industry while supporting India’s expanding role in international air travel.

 

About Akasa Air: 

 

Akasa Air is India’s fastest growing airline, offering warm and efficient customer service, reliable operations, and affordable fares - all in the Akasa Way. Akasa’s youthful personality, employee-centric philosophy, tech-led approach, and culture of service make this commitment a reality for all Indians. 

    

Akasa Air’s consistent on-time leadership, operational efficiencies and extremely positive customer feedback have made it a preferred carrier in India, serving over 23 million passengers since its launch in August 2022. Akasa Air currently connects with 26 domestic and 6 international cities, namely Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi, Delhi, Guwahati, Agartala, Pune, Lucknow, Goa, Hyderabad, Varanasi, Bagdogra, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Sri Vijaya Puram, Ayodhya, Gwalior, Srinagar, Prayagraj, Gorakhpur, Darbhanga, Kozhikode, Navi Mumbai, Dibrugarh, Doha (Qatar), Jeddah, Riyadh (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), Abu Dhabi (UAE), Kuwait City (Kuwait) and Phuket (Thailand).

 

With a clear focus on sustained, long-term growth, Akasa Air has placed a firm order of 226 Boeing 737 MAX airplanes, powered by CFM fuel-efficient LEAP-1B engines. It currently operates 31 737 MAX aircraft, which deliver superior efficiency in reducing fuel use and carbon emissions.The aircraft also have a quieter cabin with 40 per cent less noise, fulfilling the airline's promise of being an environmentally progressive company with the youngest and greenest fleet in the Indian skies.    

 

For more information, visit  www.akasaair.com 

 

Newsroom: https://www.akasaair.com/news-room 

 

X: @AkasaAir    

 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/akasaair/