Akasa Air Pilots Seek Aviation Ministry Intervention Alleging Concerns Over Safety Standards, Airline Responds

The airline on Saturday issued an official statement and said, “We categorically deny these allegations as baseless and untrue. Nor do they represent the views of Akasa pilots."

The group alleged that 84 pilots submitted their resignation simultaneously on one-day notice.

Source : Akasa Air

Several pilots of Akasa Air raised worries about alleged training and safety standards-related issues at the airline. The group of pilots urged the Civil Aviation Ministry to intervene in the matter, however, these allegations were strongly denied by the carrier.

Terming the claims baseless and untrue, the airline on Saturday issued an official statement and said, “We categorically deny these allegations as baseless and untrue. Nor do they represent the views of Akasa pilots,” reported The Financial Express.

The group alleged that 84 pilots submitted their resignation simultaneously on one-day notice. Akasa Air has been operating for more than two years now and has faced similar challenges with pilots earlier as well. 

The carrier also pointed out that 324 pilots joined the airline since October 2023 and the annualised attrition rate stood at less than 1 per cent for pilots during the period. Issuing a letter to K Rammohan, Civil Aviation Minister, the concerned pilots called for an independent query in the carrier’s management practices, safety protocols, and training methods.

The airline stressed that its monthly employee surveys indicate that pilots consistently clocked the highest job satisfaction levels among all employee groups.

Akasa Air further noted that pilots leaving for other opportunities remained low throughout 2024. This indicated their satisfaction, the carrier said. “This dedication is further evidenced by the minimal number of pilots seeking opportunities outside of Akasa Air throughout 2024,” the airline said.

Notably, earlier in October, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) imposed a penalty of Rs 30 lakh on the carrier attributed to certain lapses in crew training. Currently, the airline operates a fleet of 26 aircraft which fly to 27 destinations, and this also includes five international cities.