MUMBAI- The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has suspended two key executives at Akasa Air (QP) for six months following significant pilot training violations discovered during a regulatory audit.
The suspension affects both the director of operations and the director of training, requiring immediate replacement of these positions at the airline.
Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh TekriwalAkasa Air Pilots Training Official Suspended
The regulatory action stems from Akasa Air’s failure to maintain compliance with established civil aviation requirements, particularly regarding pilot training protocols. This suspension marks an escalation in the DGCA’s oversight of the carrier, following multiple financial penalties imposed on the airline in recent months for similar training-related infractions.
Responding to the suspension order dated December 27, 2024, an Akasa Air spokesperson acknowledged receipt and affirmed the airline’s commitment to regulatory compliance and safety standards. The statement emphasized the airline’s dedication to maintaining rigorous safety protocols across its operations.
The suspension comes amid broader concerns about Akasa Air’s training practices. A group of pilots recently elevated their grievances to the Civil Aviation Ministry, citing serious allegations of mismanagement and compromised safety standards in the airline’s pilot training and evaluation systems.
These complaints specifically highlighted issues of favoritism and harassment within the organization, though Akasa Air has firmly rejected these claims as unfounded.
Earlier in a separate incident, DGCA fined Akasa Air around 10 lakh INR for denying boarding to a few passengers.
Photo: Utkarsh Thakkar (Vimanspotter) Violations During October Audit
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation discovered serious deficiencies in Akasa Air’s pilot training program during an October audit of the carrier’s training facility.
The investigation revealed that the airline failed to provide adequate training for Required Navigation Performance approaches, utilizing simulators that lacked the necessary capabilities for this critical navigation system.
Required Navigation Performance technology enables aircraft to maintain precise three-dimensional flight paths, offering enhanced safety and efficiency in congested airspace through its high-precision navigation capabilities.
The absence of proper RNP training equipment in Akasa’s simulators represents a significant oversight in pilot preparation.
The regulatory body issued a show cause notice to Akasa Air following the October audit findings. Despite the airline’s response to these concerns, the DGCA deemed their explanations insufficient.
Photo: Sandeep Pilania/ ATC SpotterPilots Unhappy with Management
Pilots at Akasa Air have filed a formal complaint with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, alleging serious safety violations and management intimidation. The allegations center around pressured flying duties during illness and retaliatory actions against safety reporting during the peak holiday season from December 25 to January 1.
According to the pilots’ complaint, Captain Gracious Flyod issued directives compelling sick pilots to continue flight operations, violating fundamental aviation safety protocols. The situation intensified when DGCA-approved TRI Captain Sameer Patel disclosed Captain Flyod’s planned legal action against DGCA Chief FOI Captain Swetha Singh, citing accusations of intentionally delayed operational approvals.
On December 19, 2024, the closed-door meeting revealed further troubling developments. Captain Patel exposed Captain Flyod’s instructions to training staff to artificially increase trainee failure rates, allegedly in retaliation to a December 11 DGCA complaint.
The pilots’ petition seeks regulatory action against multiple senior officials, including Captains Flyod, Kunal Khajuria, Suraj Bhatia, Sameer Patel, Cedric Dsilva, Anderson Dhramaraj, Swetlena, and Neomi Dsilva.
The Fleet Office confirmed its policy through an email stating that sick reports during festive periods would face scrutiny and potential investigation. This policy implementation coincides with the peak holiday travel season, affecting thousands of passengers dependent on reliable air service.
These revelations follow previous training-related concerns reported by Aviation A2Z, where Akasa pilots approached the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The pilots emphasize that these practices threaten India’s aviation safety standards and demand immediate regulatory intervention.
Featured Image by Siddh Dhuri | Mumbai Planes
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Akasa Air Pilots Accuses Management of Unfair Practices and Safety Concerns
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