Mumbai-based airline Akasa Air has reached a landmark in India’s pet travel segment, completing over 10,000 pet journeys since the launch of its ‘Pets on Akasa’ service in November 2022. The milestone underscores increasing demand for structured, safe, and accessible travel options for animals, reflecting shifting consumer preferences and the growing role of inclusive services in aviation.
Industry officials note that pet travel has become a critical differentiator for airlines targeting urban families, especially in cities with high pet ownership such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Delhi. Akasa Air’s data show that repeat bookings are rising, signalling trust in the airline’s procedures, which include in-cabin travel, specialised care, and health-compliant handling. The airline’s most popular routes for pets include Mumbai–Goa and Bengaluru–Delhi, with smaller Tier II and III city connections also seeing notable activity. Dogs account for nearly 60% of travellers, while cats comprise 40%, with the majority carried in-cabin to ensure proximity to owners. Seasonal spikes, particularly from October to December, highlight how holidays and festivals influence travel patterns, with monthly volumes during this period surging over 60%.
Experts point out that providing specialised services for pets can have broader operational and urban mobility implications. Airlines offering structured animal travel reduce stress on owners, improve compliance with transport safety standards, and contribute to more predictable boarding and security workflows at airports. In turn, this can increase airport efficiency and passenger satisfaction while supporting the growing urban pet economy. Akasa Air has progressively enhanced its service framework. Measures include raising the in-cabin weight limit to 10 kg, allowing up to three pets per flight, providing priority check-in and boarding, and simplifying documentation for animal health certifications. Staff across ground and in-flight operations receive dedicated training, and partnerships with animal welfare organisations ensure ethical care.
A senior airline official explained that milestones like this reinforce the business case for pet-inclusive services, showing that airlines can combine safety, operational reliability, and customer-centric innovation. Urban planners and transport analysts observe that inclusive transport services, including for pets, reflect evolving expectations in India’s metropolitan centres, where mobility solutions are increasingly integrated with lifestyle needs. As pet ownership rises, Akasa Air’s initiative points to a broader trend of specialised urban travel services that balance regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and inclusivity. Stakeholders suggest that scalable models for pet travel could serve as benchmarks for other domestic carriers, reinforcing the role of airlines in delivering safe, predictable, and people-first mobility options.
India Akasa Air Expands Inclusive Pet Travel Network
