Cuncolim-born Belson Coutinho, who is Co-Founder and Chief Marketing & Experience Officer at Akasa Air, has been responsible for the product and service, brand design, logo, aircraft livery, uniforms and sneaker design, aircraft seats and interiors at Akasa Air
[From Left to Right] Anand Srinivasan (Co-Founder and Chief Information Officer), Belson Coutinho (Co-Founder and Chief Marketing & Experience Officer), Neelu Khatri (Co-Founder and SVP International), Bhavin Joshi (Sr. Vice President, Strategy) and Ankur Goel (Chief Financial Officer) hand over the boarding pass to Akasa’s first passenger from Mumbai to Doha.
DOHA
Akasa Air’s Goan Co-Founder Belson Coutinho has every reason to be delighted with the launch of flight operations between Doha and Mumbai.
With Akasa Air offering a number of unique features in the industry, Coutinho believes that the flight operations will serve the needs of Goans based in Qatar and India.
MUMBAI-DOHA CONNECTIVITY
Akasa Air launched its Mumbai-Doha operations on March 28, with weekly four non-stop flights flights.
The maiden flight received a warm welcome at Hamad International Airport where its arrival was graced by Ambassador of Qatar to India Mohammed Al Jabir, Ambassador of India to Qatar Vipul, other dignitaries, Akasa Air and Hamad International Airport leadership teams.
“The route marks the beginning of Akasa Air’s international expansion, aiming to enhance trade and tourism opportunities between India and Qatar,” said Belson.
“Akasa Air has seamless connections between Goa and Doha via Mumbai. In fact, many cities across India connect to our new Mumbai-Doha service,” said Belson.
“The Akasa flight from Qatar reaches very early in the morning in Mumbai and passengers can catch connecting flights to other cities. We are extremely happy to see our passengers already availing these convenient connections,” added Belson.
“The Mumbai-Doha route, launched in response to the growing demand for air travel between India and Qatar, will provide enhanced connectivity and cargo capacity facilitating trade and tourism between the two countries.”
Belson says Akasa Air’s international ambitions don’t just stop at Doha.
“The airline has also secured traffic rights for three additional international destinations: Kuwait, Jeddah, and Riyadh. This rapid expansion plan promises to bring Akasa Air’s brand of affordable luxury and reliable service to the world stage in the coming months.”
ADDING NEW FEATURES
Belson, who has been working in the airline industry for the last 24 years, is also the Chief Marketing and Experience Officer at Akasa Air, and has some nine departments working under him.
Belson has been responsible for the product and service, so the brand design, logo, aircraft livery, uniforms and sneaker design, aircraft seats and interiors are part of his work.
“Lucky to have had a blank canvas to reimagine a new airline from the ground up,” said Belson.
Belson has to his credit various industry-first initiatives which he has implemented in Indian aviation.
He said passengers can take delight in some of the several industry firsts which the Indian career has introduced over the years.
“Akasa Air has many unique features which are best in industry. Our crew wear sneakers, uniforms are gender neutral, uniforms are made of recycled polyester made from marine waste, we allow dogs and cats in the cabin of our aircraft, our food on board has set standards in Indian aviation with quality and gourmet meals, we have menu and safety cards on board in braille. All of these are a first in Indian aviation.”
Since its launch in August 2022, Akasa Air has served over 7.75 million passengers.
“Our domestic network currently spans 21 cities across India, including Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, and Doha. The launch opens doors for travellers from other Indian cities like Ahmedabad, Goa, Varanasi, Lucknow, Bengaluru, Kochi, and Delhi,” says Belson.
GOAN CONNECT
Born in Cuncolim, Belson completed his studies at Our Lady of Health High School, Cuncolim, and later pursued his Bachelor of Science at Chowgule College, Margao.
Belson, who was very good at football and even won an award for the best footballer at an inter-school football competition, which was presented to him by former India captain Mauricio Afonso at a Chinchinim tournament.
Belson, who has been with Akasa Air as co-founder and Chief Marketing & Experience Officer (CMO & CXO) since August 2021, has had nearly 3 decades of experience in the airlines industry.
He had previously served in various capacities with Jet Airways for 24 years between 1995 and 2019, rising up as Sr Vice President (Marketing, eCommerce & Innovations, Loyalty, Voice of Guest)
He had also served as Chief Marketing Officer & Head of Customer Experience at VFS Global between July 2019 and August 2021.
