Akasa Air Pilots Urge Civil Aviation Ministry to Investigate Hiring Practices and Rostering Issues

A group of Akasa Air pilots has approached the civil aviation ministry, requesting an investigation into the airline's hiring practices. They have raised concerns about rostering issues and other operational lapses. The pilots allege that some crew members fail to report for duty on time, affecting On Time Performance reporting.

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On Thursday, these pilots sent an email to Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu, the Civil Aviation Secretary, and the Director General of Civil Aviation. The email highlighted various issues within the airline. Akasa Air has not yet commented on these allegations.

Concerns Over Hiring Practices

The pilots have called for a probe into the airline's hiring methods, claiming that recruitment decisions are made arbitrarily by a select few. They also allege that the airline lacks a stable roster system. These claims come amid previous concerns about training and safety, which Akasa Air has dismissed as unfounded.

Akasa Air, operational for over two years, has recently faced regulatory scrutiny for certain lapses. Earlier this month, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) revoked the Line Training Captain approval for an Akasa Air pilot due to landing issues in March 2024. This suspension will remain until further notice.

Regulatory Actions and Penalties

In December, the DGCA suspended the director of operations and director of training at Akasa Air for six months. This action was due to alleged shortcomings in pilot training. Additionally, in October last year, the DGCA fined the airline Rs 30 lakh for deficiencies in crew training.

The ongoing scrutiny and actions by regulatory authorities highlight persistent challenges faced by Akasa Air. Despite these issues, the airline continues its operations while addressing regulatory concerns.