The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India’s aviation regulator, has issued a second show-cause notice to Akasa Air within a week. This DGCA notice to Akasa Air highlights alleged lapses in the airline’s operations manual and failure to comply with safety protocols mandated under Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR).
The latest action follows a series of audits and inspections by the DGCA, which previously flagged maintenance issues and raised concerns over pilot grievances related to training and management practices.
Violations in Operations Manual
The DGCA has cited Akasa Air’s failure to adhere to the required six-month revision cycle for its operations manual, as outlined in approved procedures. The DGCA notice to Akasa Air also points to broader non-compliance with CARs. According to sources, these lapses represent significant breaches of safety standards.
In a statement, Akasa Air acknowledged the regulator’s findings and stated:
“Over the last few months, the DGCA has conducted a number of routine audits on Akasa Air’s flight operations department. On one of these audits, DGCA raised certain findings for which they have issued a notice for clarification. As always, we are working closely with the DGCA to clarify this issue and enhance our protocols as required by the regulator. Safety is of utmost importance, and we continuously strive to pursue the highest standards of safety.”
Growing Concerns from Pilots
A section of Akasa pilots has expressed dissatisfaction with the airline’s management practices and training protocols. They argue that the failure to revise the operations manual within the prescribed timeframe is a critical safety violation.
One source stated:
“The DGCA’s warnings, show-cause notices, and penalties have not led to meaningful changes. This is damaging the airline’s reputation. Pilots have raised concerns about flight operations, allegedly biased trainer behavior, and insufficient safety standards, further emphasizing the seriousness of the DGCA notice to Akasa Air.”
In a recent letter to Union Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu, some pilots alleged that Akasa Air’s claims of maintaining the highest safety standards are misleading.
Akasa’s Defense
Countering the allegations, Akasa Air emphasized its commitment to employee satisfaction and safety. The airline highlighted its low pilot attrition rate and strong employee satisfaction metrics:
“Our monthly employee survey reveals that pilots, amongst all employee groups, have consistently reported the highest levels of job satisfaction. Since October 2023, 324 pilots have joined Akasa Air, with an annualized attrition rate of less than 1%. We remain committed to building a brand that resonates with both our customers and employees.”
Previous DGCA Notice
Just days earlier, on December 9, the DGCA notice to Akasa Air maintenance engineer for subpar maintenance standards and certification issues. This incident, coupled with the latest notice, underscores ongoing regulatory scrutiny of Akasa Air’s operational practices.
Reputation at Stake
The increasing frequency of regulatory interventions has raised questions about Akasa Air’s adherence to safety protocols and operational reliability. Aviation experts suggest that the airline must address these issues promptly to maintain its reputation and ensure compliance with DGCA standards.
As Akasa works to clarify and resolve the DGCA’s findings, the industry and passengers alike will be closely monitoring the developments to ensure safety remains the top priority.