Akasa Air

Akasa Air executives suspended over pilot training violations: DGCA

AddThis Website Tools

India's aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has suspended Akasa Air's director of operations and director of training for six months, citing lapses in pilot training protocols.

The action follows the airline's failure to comply with civil aviation requirements (CAR), as detailed in separate orders issued by the DGCA on December 27.

The decision stems from findings during a DGCA regulatory audit conducted on October 7, 2024, at Akasa Air’s Mumbai office. The audit revealed that Required Navigation Performance (RNP) training for pilots was being conducted on simulators that were not qualified for such exercises, violating specific provisions of CAR Section 7, Series D, Part VI.

The DGCA deemed the responses provided by the two executives to earlier show cause notices - issued on October 15 and October 30 - unsatisfactory. The officials were found to have failed in their responsibility to ensure compliance with training standards, adequately train personnel, and uphold safe operations.

In its orders, the DGCA stated that the suspended executives did not fulfill their legal obligations to maintain safety and regulatory standards. The agency also instructed Akasa Air to nominate suitable replacements for the roles of director of operations and director of training.

Akasa Air, backed by the Rakesh Jhunjhunwala family, has yet to issue a public statement on the suspensions.

The DGCA emphasized that repeated lapses in training compliance could jeopardize aviation safety, reiterating the importance of adhering to established regulations to maintain operational standards.

Tags:    



AddThis Website Tools