Akasa Air's whirlwind takeoff: How airline is gradually inching its way up

It's partly benefited from SpiceJet and GoAir's problems, but with a 20th aircraft to be inducted soon, the 11-month-old airline is eyeing international destinations too

Last week, when the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) released the monthly statistics, it became clear that Akasa Air had beaten the established budget carrier SpiceJet for the first time in terms of domestic passengers carried per month.

Akasa Air carried 618,000 passengers in June, compared to SpiceJet, which carried 555,000 passengers. Additionally, Akasa Air recorded a 4.9 per cent domestic market share in June to SpiceJet's 4.4 per cent. This was a significant achievement for an airline that operated its first commercial flight just 11 months ago.

Akasa Air has gradually been inching its way up at a