Akasa Air Names Belson Coutinho as COO to Navigate Intensifying Competition
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Mumbai, Jan 7 (NationPress) The budget airline Akasa Air has officially appointed Belson Coutinho to serve as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO).
Coutinho will oversee Akasa Air’s vital operational aspects, including inflight services, airport services, maintenance and engineering, flight operations, and ensuring operational excellence, among other responsibilities.
In November, the airline transported 674,000 domestic passengers, achieving a market share of 4.7 percent, as India’s domestic aviation market exceeded traffic levels from 2023.
“Belson's diverse experience has enabled him to effectively work with various teams in airline operations, gaining valuable insights into the functioning of operational departments,” stated Vinay Dube, Founder and CEO of Akasa Air.
“We believe that with his guidance, we will keep improving our operational efficiency, uphold our commitment to service excellence, and make substantial progress towards our goal of becoming a world-class airline,” he further added.
Coutinho has been an integral part of Akasa Air’s executive committee since the airline's launch in 2022.
Since its establishment, Akasa Air has catered to over 14 million passengers and currently connects 22 domestic and 5 international cities.
The carrier commenced its inaugural commercial flight on August 7, 2022, to meet the growing demand in India and began its international operations on March 28, 2024, with non-stop flights from Mumbai to Doha.
Internationally, Akasa Air offers flights to Doha, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Jeddah, and Kuwait.
The budget airline has made a significant order of 226 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and currently operates 26 737 MAX planes.
As competition among low-cost carriers escalates, Akasa Air is focused on overcoming challenges and achieving profitability.
In November, India’s commercial airlines served 1.42 crore passengers on domestic routes, marking a strong 12 percent growth compared to the same month last year, according to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
