10 Jul 2025
#2 July 2025: India Aviation Newsletter
Air India Unlocks Shopping Rewards for Maharaja Club Members Across the USA and UK
Air India has partnered with Loyyal, a blockchain-powered loyalty solutions provider, to offer everyday rewards to Maharaja Club members. Through this initiative, members can now earn Maharaja Points on purchases with popular brands across the US and UK, enhancing value beyond flight-related transactions. The new system enables faster accrual of points, which can be redeemed for free flights and upgrades, especially beneficial for non-frequent flyers.
Shailesh Kumar Singh, Head of Loyalty at Air India, said:
“We’re happy to partner with Loyyal as we continue to make the Maharaja Club even more rewarding for our rapidly expanding member base across the globe. This partnership makes it easier for our members to earn Maharaja Points on everyday essentials and shopping, without needing to fly frequently.”
Akasa Air Signs Three-Year Maintenance Deal with GMR Aero Technic
Akasa Air has entered into a three-year agreement with GMR Aero Technic to manage base maintenance for its growing Boeing 737 MAX fleet. The work will be carried out at GMR’s Hyderabad-based MRO facility. The partnership is a reflection of Akasa’s commitment to safety, reliability, and support for India’s domestic MRO ecosystem.
Belson Coutinho, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer at Akasa Air, stated:
“At Akasa Air, we place utmost importance on the safety and reliability of our fleet. Partnering with GMR Aero Technic for base maintenance aligns with our commitment to maintaining the highest technical standards as we scale rapidly.”
SpiceJet Reports Highest-Ever Quarterly Profit and First Annual Profit in Seven Years
SpiceJet reported a Q4 FY25 net profit of ₹319 crore, marking its strongest quarterly performance to date, and an annual profit of ₹48 crore—the airline’s first full-year profit since 2018. The financial turnaround follows extensive restructuring and strategic expansion, setting a renewed trajectory for growth. The announcement was accompanied by condolences to victims of the Air India crash in Ahmedabad.
Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, said:
“Posting a profit for the second consecutive quarter and for the full financial year after seven years is a reflection of the tireless efforts of our team, the continued trust of our passengers, and the resilience of our brand.”
Acumen’s Take
On Air India’s Loyalty Expansion
This initiative is a strategic leap in Air India’s effort to modernise its loyalty programme and widen engagement beyond just air travel. By incorporating daily spending into its rewards ecosystem, Air India is likely to improve member retention and better monetise its global customer base.
On Akasa–GMR MRO Collaboration
Akasa’s MRO agreement with GMR showcases its long-term commitment to operational excellence and reinforces confidence in India's fast-maturing MRO sector. It’s also a smart localisation move, allowing cost-effective scalability as the fleet grows.
On SpiceJet’s Profit Milestone
SpiceJet’s financial recovery is a much-needed confidence booster for India’s airline sector. While the sentiments were understandably sombre, the profit signals a possible turnaround in investor sentiment, enabling better access to capital and fleet renewal opportunities.
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