Akasa Air (QP, Mumbai International) is keen to acquire slots held by Go First (GOW, Mumbai International), saying even if that airline resumes flights, it will be on a smaller scale than before. Akasa wants to increase its flights to the Indian states of Karnataka, Kerala, Goa, and Maharashtra, and will "aggressively" bid for Go First slots at airports in those states, according to a MoneyControl report.
"The airline plans to increase the number of flights from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, and Kerala in the next six months to capitalise on the growing regional demand from these airports," an unnamed Akasa Air official told the outlet. "As part of its expansion plan, Akasa Air will be aggressively bidding for whatever slots become available in the coming times."
Specifically, Akasa Air is targeting slots at Mumbai International, Pune, Goa Dabolim, Goa Mopa, Kochi International, Thiruvananthapuram, Mangalore Bajpe, Bengaluru International. While working through the insolvency process, Go First can hold onto its existing slots until March 2024 unless it is dissolved. However, if the airline does relaunch, it is expected to do so as a smaller carrier and may voluntarily surrender certain slots in time for the Northern Hemisphere 2023/24 winter season.
Meanwhile, Akasa Air continues to look for up to USD100 million in funding to pay for aircraft orders. It currently operates twenty B737-8s and has a further 52 on order. Akasa Air CEO Vinay Dube had floated the idea of another aircraft order later this year involving hundreds of planes. However, ongoing turbulence in the Indian aviation sector and the failure to yet lock in additional funding means the carrier may scale back any additional purchases. According to Bloomberg, Akasa Air is now looking to supplement its existing order with as few as ten extra aircraft, with efforts underway to close and announce the order during this week's Paris Air Show.
