New Delhi, 09 January (H.S.): India's fastest-growing carrier, Akasa Air, officially joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA) on Friday, becoming the fifth Indian airline in the global body's fold after successfully completing the mandatory IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), a benchmark audit validating top-tier operational management and safety protocols.

IATA, representing over 360 airlines worldwide—including compatriots Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo, and SpiceJet—welcomed Akasa, whose fleet of 31 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft now links 26 domestic destinations like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, and emerging hubs such as Ayodhya and Srinagar, alongside six international gateways including Doha, Jeddah, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait City, and Phuket.

Akasa Founder and CEO Vinay Dube hailed the accession as elevating the airline's global credibility, positioning it as a future-ready Indian player amid serving over 22 million passengers since its August 2022 launch.

IOSA Triumph in Record Time Signals Safety Prowess

Achieved in just over three years—a feat underscoring voluntary commitment to excellence—the IOSA rigorously evaluates flight operations, maintenance, cabin and ground handling, cargo, security, and organizational systems, fostering Akasa's on-time reliability and customer acclaim.

IATA Asia-Pacific Regional Vice President Sheldon Hee praised the milestone, noting India's aviation sector's vast potential supporting 7.7 million jobs and USD 53.6 billion economic impact. Chief of Flight Safety Capt. Gaurav Pathak affirmed: This recognizes our discipline and world-class safety culture from day one, as we scale responsibly.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar