Travellers searching for flights on Skyscanner will now have access to Akasa Air’s domestic and international fares, following a new partnership announced on June 3rd, 2024. This collaboration broadens travel options for Skyscanner’s over 110 million monthly users. The partnership comes as India’s travel market experiences significant growth. Data from Skyscanner Travel Insights shows a 19 per cent year-over-year increase in domestic travel searches within India for 2024. International travel demand from India has also surged, with searches for “Everywhere” destinations jumping a remarkable 122 per cent year-over-year.Top domestic destinations for Indian travellers in 2024 include:
1. New Delhi
2. Bengaluru
3. Mumbai
4. Goa
5. Hyderabad
Top international destinations for Indian travellers in 2024 include:
1. Dubai
2. London
3. Bangkok
4. Toronto
5. Jeddah
Commenting on the partnership Hugh Aitken, VP strategic relations and development at Skyscanner said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with one of India’s fastest growing airline Akasa Air. It is critical at Skyscanner that we connect travellers with every travel option available to them, adding Akasa to our offering is a significant step in better serving Indian travellers. We have seen exceptional growth in the Indian market over the past several years and today’s Indian travellers want a seamless mobile-first and stress-free travel planning experience. We are committed to delivering this for them, whilst simultaneously helping our partners outperform the market.”
The codeshare partnership is slated to commence in the winter 2024 schedule, subject to government approval. This initiative marks a significant step in enhancing bilateral travel and strengthening economic ties between Japan and India. Further details regarding the specific codeshare routes will be announced in due course. The codeshare agreement will initially cover domestic routes within India that connect to JAL’s flights from Delhi and Bengaluru.
This wider selection of airfares is expected to benefit both travellers and Akasa Air. Travellers can now compare prices and potentially find more affordable options for their trips, while Akasa Air gains exposure to a larger audience of potential customers. The Indian aviation industry is experiencing a boom and Akasa Air is a fast-growing player in this market. Partnering with a global platform like Skyscanner allows the airline to reach a broader base of travellers, both domestically and internationally.Praveen Iyer, Co-Founder & Chief Commercial Officer at Akasa Air said: “We’re pleased to be partnering with a global travel leader in Skyscanner to reach new customers in both domestic and international markets. We look forward to growing and expanding our partnership over the coming years.”
Skyscanner remains a key player in the travel search market. The platform saw record demand in early 2024 and held the title of fastest-growing travel metasearch engine in 2023. They claim to continue to collaborate with various travel industry players, including airlines, tourism organizations and destination marketing companies.
