Akasa Air’s directors of operations and flight training have been suspended for six months following an audit by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) that identified serious lapses.
The action follows a regulatory audit conducted by the DGCA on October 7 in Mumbai, which revealed that required navigation performance (RNP) training was being conducted on “unqualified” simulators, violating DGCA rules.
RNP training is essential for pilots to operate in airspaces that require a specific level of navigation accuracy.
In response to the suspension, Akasa Air issued a statement saying, “Akasa Air has received an order from the DGCA dated December 27, 2024. We will work closely with the DGCA and comply with all requirements. Safety remains our top priority, and we are committed to upholding the highest safety standards.”
Akasa Air currently operates a fleet of 26 aircraft and employs over 800 pilots.
The DGCA had issued show-cause notices to Akasa Air’s Director of Operations and Director of Training on October 15, but the replies submitted on October 30 were deemed unsatisfactory. The DGCA’s order highlighted that the Director of Operations had failed to adequately train personnel and that there were repeated violations related to training.
The DGCA also stated that both officials had failed to meet legal requirements and ensure safe operations as mandated by aviation rules.
