Akasa Air, the airline launched by the late billionaire trader Rakesh Jhunjhunwala and two others in December 2021, is currently facing internal turmoil. A group of pilots has raised serious concerns about the airline’s management, alleging that CEO and co-founder Vinay Dube has lost control over the company. The pilots claim that the airline is in disarray and has become the “laughing stock” of the aviation industry.
One of the most significant allegations comes from the pilots, who claim that Captain Floyd Gracious, Akasa Air’s Vice President, has been appointing his former associates from Jet Airways to key positions within the airline. The pilots argue that these appointments have caused chaos within the organization and raised questions about the airline’s management structure.
In response to these concerns, the pilots sent a detailed email on January 9, 2025, to the Aviation Minister, Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu, urging him to intervene. The letter was also forwarded to Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, the Director General of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and Vumlunmang Vualnam, the Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The pilots are calling for swift action to address their grievances and ensure proper management of the airline.
Akasa Air, which began operations in August 2022, has quickly become one of India’s notable airlines. However, internal issues such as these could have a significant impact on its reputation and future growth. It remains to be seen how the airline’s leadership will respond to these allegations and whether any steps will be taken to resolve the issues raised by the pilots.
