Akasa Air charts course from India to Sharjah in early 2026
Global expansion plans include Africa and Southeast Asia routes in coming years
DUBAI – India’s rapidly growing airline, Akasa Air, will begin operations to Sharjah, UAE, in early 2026 as part of its next phase of international expansion.
The move strengthens the carrier’s presence in the Gulf, following services already established in Abu Dhabi, Doha, Jeddah, Riyadh, Kuwait City and Phuket.
With a modern fleet of Boeing 737 Max aircraft, Akasa is gearing up to tap into new markets and strengthen its role as a key player in the region’s aviation network.
Why Sharjah?
Sharjah is poised to become Akasa’s next international gateway, with Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer Praveen Iyer confirming plans to launch flights from India to the emirate. Speaking to Skift, Iyer said the airline is “currently evaluating two or three markets for Sharjah,” signalling that more routes could soon be added.
The airline’s focus remains on destinations within a five-and-a-half-hour flying radius, including locations such as Tashkent, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam.
Fleet and growth plans
Akasa Air currently operates 30 Boeing 737 Max jets and has placed a firm order for 226 of the same model. Deliveries have gained momentum after the US Federal Aviation Administration approved an increase in production to 42 aircraft per month. According to CEO Vinay Dube, Akasa expects to add “more than one aircraft” this year and anticipates taking delivery of nearly 200 planes over the next seven years.
The airline’s available seat kilometres are currently 20 percent international and 80 percent domestic, with projections to reach 30 percent international by March 2027.
Akasa’s international footprint is set to expand further, with future routes under consideration to Kenya, Ethiopia, Egypt and Mauritius. The airline, which already maintains a codeshare partnership with Etihad Airways, plans to build additional interline agreements and partnerships in the next financial year.