Akasa Air Appoints Belson Coutinho As New Chief Operating Officer (COO)

On Tuesday, Low-cost carrier Akasa Air announced the appointment of Belson Coutinho as its Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Coutinho will oversee key operational areas including inflight services, airport services, maintenance, flight operations, and the pursuit of operational excellence.

In November, Akasa Air carried 6,74,000 passengers within India, achieving a market share of 4.7% as the domestic aviation sector surpassed its 2023 traffic levels.

Vinay Dube, Founder and CEO of Akasa Air stated, “Belson’s multifaceted role over the years had him successfully collaborate with cross-functional teams across airline operations, developing a good understanding of the functioning of operational departments.”

“We are confident that under his leadership, we will continue to enhance our operational efficiency, deliver on our values of service excellence, and make significant strides toward achieving our vision of becoming a world-class airline,” he added.

Belson Coutinho, who has been part of Akasa Air’s executive committee since its launch in 2022, has contributed significantly to the airline’s growth.

Since its inception, Akasa Air has carried over 14 million passengers and operates flights to 22 domestic and five international cities.

The airline, which began its commercial operations on 7 August, 2022, with a flight from Mumbai, expanded internationally on 28 March 2024, offering direct flights from Mumbai to Doha.

In addition to Doha, Akasa Air serves destinations such as Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Jeddah, and Kuwait.

Akasa Air has placed an order for 226 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, with 26 currently in operation.

Despite facing challenges and increasing competition in the low-cost carrier market, profitability remains a top priority.

India’s domestic aviation market is growing rapidly, with 1.42 crore passengers flying in November, marking a 12% year-on-year increase, according to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

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