Akasa Air has announced operations from Jeddah, the second international destination on its network, further expanding its presence in the Middle East. Starting July 15, 2024, Akasa Air will operate daily direct flights connecting Jeddah with Mumbai and will further ramp up this connectivity to operate 12 direct flights a week effective July 21, 2024. The launch of operations from Mumbai will be followed by the commencement of two weekly direct flights connecting Jeddah with Ahmedabad effective July 20, 2024.
Akasa Air was born to make air travel inclusive and affordable through its commitment to quality product and service excellence. The airline’s category re-defining offerings and warm and reliable service has generated an extremely positive response amongst travellers in India and Doha. With its foray into Jeddah, the airline aims to extend the Akasa experience to the growing number of travellers on the routes.
Saudi Arabia witnessed a 50 per cent increase in Indian visitors in 2023, and the launch of direct flights connecting Jeddah with Ahmedabad and Mumbai will contribute to the country’s aim to host 7.5 million Indian visitors by 2031.
Commenting on the announcement, Neelu Khatri, Co-Founder and SVP International, Akasa Air said, “At Akasa Air, we take pride in being the fastest-growing, most reliable, customer-centric and environmentally progressive airline in the world. We are excited to bring the signature Akasa experience to Jeddah, our second destination in the Middle East.
“Jeddah offers a unique blend of commerce, heritage, and culture, accentuated by its scenic Red Sea coastline. The city attracts a diverse range of travellers from India, and the launch of direct flights connecting Jeddah with two prime Indian cities – Mumbai and Ahmedabad will foster connectivity between the two regions and also enable travellers from Saudi Arabia to explore India with our wide network in the country.”
Belson Coutinho, Co-Founder and Chief Marketing and Experience Officer, Akasa Air said, “Customers are at the heart of everything we do, and travellers on the route can look forward to a category re-defining flying experience with our inflight dining service Café Akasa, spacious cabins with generous legroom, and in-seat charging facilities with the provision of USB ports in most of our aircraft. Our newest offerings such as Skyscore by Akasa and QuietFlights will further elevate their inflight experience.
“As we progress on our journey to become one of the top 30 airlines in the world by the turn of this decade, we will continue to rapidly expand our footprint to offer our customers a holistic global air network backed by a world-class travel experience.”
Praveen Iyer, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer further shared, “Our strategically designed connections linking Jeddah with two key Indian cities – Mumbai and Ahmedabad will cater to a variety of tourists, fostering bilateral trade and tourism. As India’s leader in on-time performance with a steadfast focus on reliability and the highest standards of safety, we will continue to augment our global footprint in the coming months, building a holistic air network that provides access to affordable travel and connects people, places, and cultures.”
Akasa Air launched operations in Doha on March 28, 2024, and the addition of Jeddah to the airline’s network further bolsters its presence in the Middle East. The airline has also been granted traffic rights for two other destinations in the Middle East namely Kuwait, and Riyadh, and will be rapidly expanding its footprint in the region in the coming months.
