Akasa Air announced the appointment of Belson Coutinho as its Chief Operating Officer, as the airline aims to become one of the top 30 airlines in the world by 2030. Effective from January 6, Belson will lead Akasa Air’s crucial operational functions.
In his new role, Coutinho will be responsible for inflight services, airport services, maintenance and engineering, flight operations, IOCC, operational excellence while also spearheading Akasa Air Learning Academy. With over two decades of experience in the aviation industry, Belson has delivered multiple industry-first initiatives in Indian aviation, underpinned by his strong operational, strategic and leadership skills, said the aviation company.
Belson has been a part of Akasa Air’s executive committee since the airline’s inception in 2022. Prior to assuming the role of co-founder and chief operating officer, Belson held the position of co-founder and chief marketing and experience officer at Akasa Air where he was instrumental in shaping the brand’s vision, driving category-redefining customer-centric initiatives, and creating a strong foundation for the airline’s unprecedented growth.
Akasa Air is one of the youngest airlines in India and has served over 14 million passengers since its launch in August 2022. In a record span, it has expanded its connectivity to 22 domestic cities and five international cities including Doha, Jeddah, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Kuwait.
Vinay Dube, founder and chief executive officer at Akasa Air, said, “Belson’s multi-faceted 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.”
Akasa Air currently operates 26 737 MAX aircraft and has placed a firm order of 226 Boeing 737 MAX airplanes, powered by CFM fuel-efficient, LEAP-1B engines.