A section of Akasa Air pilots has recently raised concerns about alleged training and safety issues at the airline, prompting them to seek the intervention of the civil aviation ministry.
The airline, however, has categorically denied these allegations, calling them baseless and untrue.
Akasa Air: Allegations by Pilots and Airline’s Response
In a letter dated December 11, addressed to Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu, the pilots have requested an independent probe into the airline’s management practices, training methods, and safety standards.
The pilots have also claimed that 84 pilots resigned on one-day notice, highlighting their dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs.
Akasa Air has responded strongly to these allegations, stating that the claims do not represent the views of its pilots.
The airline emphasized that since October 2023, 324 pilots have joined the airline, and it has recorded an annualized attrition rate of less than 1% for this employee group.
The airline also pointed out that its monthly employee surveys reveal that pilots consistently report the highest levels of job satisfaction among all employee groups.
Safety and Training Concerns
The concerns raised by the pilots are not new.
In October 2023, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) imposed a fine of Rs 30 lakh on Akasa Air for certain lapses in the training of crew.
Despite this, the airline maintains that its training standards are robust and that the recent fine was an isolated incident.
Akasa Air, which has been flying for over two years, operates a fleet of 26 planes and flies to 27 destinations, including five overseas cities.
The airline’s management is keen to counter the allegations and ensure that its operations continue smoothly.
The recent interest from a consortium led by Wipro founder Azim Premji’s family office and Claypond Capital to acquire a minority stake in Akasa Air highlights the airline’s potential for growth and expansion.
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