Akasa Air Faces DGCA Action Over Pilot Training Deficiencies
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken strict action against Akasa Air, suspending two top officials due to serious concerns over pilot training practices. The suspensions, announced on December 27, 2024, follow an audit that revealed significant deficiencies in Akasa Air’s training protocols.
The DGCA issued a six-month suspension to Akasa’s Director of Operations and Director of Training after the airline failed to respond satisfactorily to show-cause notices issued in October. The investigation found that Akasa had been conducting Required Navigation Performance (RNP) training on simulators that were not certified for such exercises, a breach of aviation safety regulations.
The DGCA’s actions come amid rising concerns from Akasa’s pilots, who have raised alarms about the airline’s training regime. They have called for a more comprehensive audit by the regulator and even expressed plans to form a pilots’ union to address ongoing issues. According to a DGCA official speaking to the Deccan Herald, the airline’s executives were found responsible for “repeated lapses/violations” related to pilot training, with a failure to meet legal obligations that ensure safe operations.
In response to the DGCA’s action, Akasa Air stated that it is “in receipt of an order from the DGCA” and assured that the airline would work closely with the regulatory body to resolve the issue. The airline emphasized its commitment to safety, stating that it continuously strives to maintain the highest safety standards.
Akasa Air, which began scheduled passenger services in August 2022, operates a fleet of 23 Boeing 737-8s and 3 Boeing 737-8-200s across 28 airports in India and select international destinations, including the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. Despite the challenges, the airline has a sizable fleet expansion plan in place, with 200 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft on order. Akasa Air employs approximately 870 pilots, and safety has been a priority since its inception.
The DGCA’s move to suspend key officials follows a pattern of repeated show-cause notices issued to Akasa since its launch. In addition to the suspension, the airline has been fined INR 1 million (USD 11,660) for failing to compensate passengers following a flight cancellation on September 6, 2024. The airline had canceled a flight from Bengaluru International to Pune due to aircraft damage, and while alternative arrangements were made, the passengers were not compensated, violating the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR).
As the airline works to address these regulatory concerns, the DGCA continues to monitor Akasa’s compliance with aviation safety standards and passenger service requirements.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com