DGCA Issues Third Show-Cause Notice to Akasa Air
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has escalated its scrutiny of Akasa Air by issuing the airline its third show-cause notice within a single month. On December 16, 2024, the safety regulator addressed the latest notice to Akasa Air (QP, Mumbai International) due to the carrier’s failure to update its operations manual within the mandated six-month revision cycle.
Escalating Regulatory Actions
This recent notice follows a series of compliance issues that have plagued Akasa Air over the past months. In late November, the DGCA issued its first show-cause notice after the airline failed to provide corrective training to a pilot involved in a hard landing incident in March 2024. The lack of timely and effective training measures raised significant safety concerns, prompting the regulatory body to take decisive action.
Further compounding the situation, on December 9, the DGCA issued a second show-cause notice after identifying “poor maintenance standards” and “lapses” during an inspection at Bengaluru International Airport in August 2024. These findings indicated systemic issues within Akasa Air’s maintenance and operational protocols, necessitating immediate regulatory intervention.
Previous Compliance Failures
The latest regulatory actions are not isolated incidents. In May 2024, an inspection at Akasa Air’s Gurgaon headquarters uncovered additional training lapses, including the conduction of practical training sessions without the necessary regulatory approvals. As a consequence of these ongoing compliance failures, Akasa Air was fined INR 3 million (approximately USD 35,000).
Operational Overview
Despite these challenges, Akasa Air continues to operate a fleet comprising twenty-three Boeing 737-800s and three Boeing 737-8-200s, serving 28 airports across India, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. The airline has also placed an order for 200 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, underscoring its commitment to expanding its fleet and market presence since commencing scheduled services in August 2022.
Regulatory Requirements
Indian aviation regulations stipulate that airlines must revise their operations manuals at least every six months to incorporate regulatory updates and address operational changes. Akasa Air’s failure to adhere to this requirement has been a critical factor in the issuance of the recent show-cause notices.
Akasa Air’s Response
In response to the latest show-cause notice, Akasa Air released a statement acknowledging the DGCA’s findings. “Over the last few months, the DGCA has conducted a number of routine audits on the Akasa Air Flight Operations department,” the statement read. “On one of those audits, the DGCA raised certain findings for which they issued a notice of clarification. As always, we are working closely with the DGCA to clarify this issue.”
Commitment to Safety
Akasa Air’s CEO, Vinay Dube, emphasized the airline’s dedication to maintaining and enhancing its safety standards amidst these regulatory challenges. “World-class safety is Akasa’s top priority,” Dube stated to the Press Trust of India. “We always look at ways in which we can continue to improve ourselves. This is a continuous procedure. We look at our processes, procedures, training, structures, and reporting.”
Future Implications
The issuance of three show-cause notices within a month signals heightened regulatory vigilance and underscores the importance of stringent compliance with aviation safety standards. For Akasa Air, these notices represent critical junctures that necessitate comprehensive reforms and adherence to regulatory mandates to ensure operational integrity and passenger safety.
Industry Impact
Akasa Air’s ongoing compliance issues serve as a cautionary tale for other airlines operating within India and beyond. The DGCA’s proactive stance in enforcing aviation regulations highlights the sector’s commitment to upholding high safety standards and ensuring that all carriers meet the necessary operational criteria.
As Akasa Air navigates through this challenging period, the airline must prioritize regulatory compliance and implement robust safety and training protocols to restore confidence among passengers, stakeholders, and regulatory bodies alike.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com