Bengaluru: India’s youngest airline, Akasa Air, has launched daily direct flights connecting Abu Dhabi with Bengaluru and Ahmedabad. Operating under a codeshare agreement with Etihad Airways, the airline commenced services on March 1, with the first flight departing from Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru.

The maiden flight from Ahmedabad will depart Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi. According to the airline, the new routes complement its daily service between Mumbai and Abu Dhabi, which was inaugurated in July 2024. With this expansion, Akasa Air operates 21 weekly flights connecting Abu Dhabi with three major Indian cities.

This also marks Akasa Air’s first international route from Bengaluru while strengthening its international connectivity from Ahmedabad. Neelu Khatri, co-founder and SVP International, Akasa Air, said, “This launch strengthens our presence in UAE, one of the most crucial international aviation corridors. This partnership unlocks new travel possibilities for our passengers, supporting tourism, trade, and cultural exchange between the two countries.”

Neelu said, “The launch of this service also marks the commencement of Akasa’s international operations from Bengaluru and further expands our international connectivity from Ahmedabad.”

Akasa Air has served 15 million passengers since its launch in August 2022. The airline currently connects with 23 domestic and five international cities. The international cities Akasa Air operates to are Doha, Jeddah, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, and Kuwait City.

Akasa Air, an all-Boeing carrier, has placed a firm order of 226 737 MAX aeroplanes powered by CFM fuel-efficient LEAP-1B engines. It currently operates 27 737 MAX aircraft.

-B