18 Dec 2025
#3 December 2025: India Aviation Newsletter
Air India Enters Interline Partnership with Scoot
Air India has entered into a new unilateral interline partnership with Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, expanding its reach across Southeast Asia, North Asia, and Australia via Singapore. Through the partnership, Air India customers can access over 70 destinations across 18 countries on Scoot’s network. Both airlines have implemented Inter-Airline Through Check-In (IATCI), allowing passengers travelling on a single ticket to receive boarding passes for both airlines at the origin airport and check baggage through to their final destination, subject to local regulations. Chief Commercial Officer Nipun Aggarwal highlighted Asia-Pacific’s rapid growth in intra-regional travel, noting that the partnership aligns with rising demand from Indian travellers for seamless connectivity across the region.
Akasa Air Expands Fleet to 31 Aircraft
Akasa Air has taken delivery of its 31st aircraft, a Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 registered VT-YBH, marking another milestone in the airline’s rapid fleet expansion. The aircraft arrived at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, on 10 December 2025 and is among the first to be built to Akasa’s customised specifications. It features Safran Z200 seats designed to enhance passenger comfort, including increased recline, improved ergonomics, enhanced cushioning, and USB-A and USB-C charging ports. Founder and CEO Vinay Dube stated that each fleet addition represents more than capacity growth, reflecting Akasa’s continued focus on service quality, comfort, and operational excellence as it scales to meet India’s growing travel demand.
Acumen’s Take
On Air India’s Partnership with Scoot
The interline agreement strengthens Air India’s Asia-Pacific strategy by leveraging Singapore as a key transfer hub. Seamless connectivity and through check-in are critical differentiators as Indian outbound travel rebounds, particularly for leisure and VFR markets across Southeast Asia and beyond.
On Akasa Air’s Fleet Expansion
Reaching a 31-aircraft fleet underscores Akasa’s disciplined yet fast-paced growth trajectory. Purpose-built cabin features signal a clear focus on passenger experience, helping the airline differentiate in an increasingly competitive Indian low-cost market while supporting long-term brand positioning.
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