The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has suspended two senior executives of Akasa Air for six months over alleged lapses in pilot training protocols. The director of operations and the director of training were found to have failed in ensuring compliance with established civil aviation regulations. This decision highlights the regulator’s stringent approach toward maintaining aviation safety standards.
The DGCA issued separate suspension orders on December 27, following unsatisfactory replies to show-cause notices sent to the executives on October 15 and October 30. The notices were prompted by reported deficiencies in the airline’s pilot training procedures, which raised concerns about regulatory adherence.
Akasa Air, partially owned by the family of the late Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, has rapidly grown since its inception but now faces challenges in ensuring strict compliance with aviation norms. This suspension serves as a reminder to all stakeholders in the aviation sector about the importance of adhering to regulatory frameworks, especially in areas like pilot training that directly impact safety.
The airline is expected to address these training protocol deficiencies and implement corrective measures during this period to regain the trust of both regulators and passengers. Meanwhile, the DGCA continues to underscore its commitment to upholding the highest safety standards in India’s aviation industry.
