Akasa backs proposal to let airport operators own airlines

Akasa Air supports a proposed policy shift that could allow airport operators such as Adani Group and GMR Airports to launch or own airlines, potentially widening consumer choice in a domestic market dominated by IndiGo and Air India.

— Source publishedWed, 5 Aug, 2026, 14:40 IST·First seen Wed, 5 Aug, 2026, 15:07 IST·Source Business Today · Latest

What happened

Akasa Air supports a proposed policy allowing Indian airport operators to own airlines. The change could enable Adani Group and GMR Airports to launch carriers,

Key facts

  • Airport operators at Delhi and Mumbai airports currently cannot hold more than a 10% stake in an airline
  • IndiGo and Air India account for nearly 90% of domestic capacity
  • Adani operates Mumbai airport and seven other airports
  • GMR manages Delhi airport and four other facilities
  • Akasa Air has a fleet of 40 Boeing 737 aircraft
  • Akasa Air will complete four years of operations

Why this matters

A policy shift would create new partnership, investment and airline-acquisition pathways for airport groups seeking to build integrated travel ecosystems.