Akasa Air pilots demand DGCA audit amid training concerns – Times of India-OxBig News Network

NEW DELHI: A group of Akasa Air pilots continues to express discontent over alleged training concerns and seeking a thorough DGCA audit following the regulator’s decision to suspend two senior officials. Additionally, the pilots have informed the civil aviation ministry and DGCA about their plans to establish a pilots’ union.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has issued 10 showcause notices to the airline recently for various alleged irregularities. Meanwhile, the airline has not responded to queries regarding these matters.
The airline previously dismissed claims about pilot training practices and attrition as unfounded when these issues were raised by certain pilots earlier this month.
On December 27, the DGCA suspended Akasa Air’s directors of operations and training for six months due to training deficiencies. The pilots have noted that the suspended director of operations maintains the position of vice-president of operations.
The airline, operational for over two years, maintains a fleet of 26 aircraft and employs approximately 870 pilots. Several pilots reportedly face insufficient flying hours due to slower-than-expected fleet expansion.
Akasa Air had earlier stated that 324 pilots had joined since October 2023, with an annualised attrition rate below 1 per cent for this category of staff.