Jyotiraditya M Scindia flags off first flight of Akasa Air from Mumbai to Ahmedabad
India is witnessing the democratisation of the Aviation industry: Scindia
The country expects to reach 40 crore air travellers in next four years: Scindia
Minister of
Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya M Scindia and Minister of State for Civil Aviation
Gen VK Singh today inaugurated the First Flight of Akasa Air (QP1101) from
Mumbai to Ahmedabad virtually.
Scindia along with MoS, Ministry of Civil Aviation,
General VK Singh and Rajiv Bansal, Secretary MoCA flagged off the first flight
of Akasa Air from Delhi which took off from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
International Airport (T1) in Mumbai on Sunday, August 07, at 10:05 AM. Usha
Padhee, Joint Secretary, MoCA, Rakesh Jhunjhunwala Founder Akasa Air, Rekha
Jhunjhunwala and Vinay Dube, CEO and founder, Akasa Air, Neelu Khatri
Co-Founder and Senior Vice President Akasa Air were also present in the event.
Speaking at the event, Jyotiraditya M Scindia said “The
inaugural flight today is a new dawn in the history of Civil Aviation in India.
It is because of the foresightedness and visionary goal and zeal of the Prime
Minister that we have seen first time in India, the democratisation of the
civil aviation. Earlier it was an industry which was considered very elitist,
but now because of his vision we are seeing a transformation over last eight
years in terms of accessibility, availability affordability and inclusion in
the Civil Aviation which we have never seen before. In this new environment I
would like to welcome Akasa Air and I am very confident that in coming days
Akasa Air will certainly make a very important mark.”
The Minister further added, “Over the last eight years
India’s Civil Aviation industry has been completely transformed. Under
UDAN scheme, we have 425 routes aiming to go up to1000 routes, 68 new airports
aiming to touch 100 airports. In next 4 years we are expecting 40 crore
travellers through Civil Aviation in India. That day is not far when along with
rail transport and road transport Civil Aviation will become the bulwark of the
transportation in India.”
Minister of State for Civil Aviation Gen VK Singh also
congratulated Akasa Air. Video message of Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra
Devendra Fadnavis was also shared virtually.
Akasa Air is the 7th schedule airline with brand name of
SNV Aviation having Corporate Headquarters at Mumbai with Boeing Max - 8
aircraft. Akasa Air plans to be a low-cost carrier with single fleet and all
economy seats. Akasa Air is planning to expand its activities to 72 aircrafts
in next five years which will significantly enhance the domestic aviation
services in India.