A group of Akasa Air pilots have approached the civil aviation ministry to mediate in alleged problems over training, management practices, and safety standards, claiming they could not accommodate the new entrant in the market. It also rejected the claims called “baseless and untrue.”
The same issue has plagued Akasa Air pilots, which has been operational for over two years. The allegations also include 84 pilots resigning with one day’s notice. The airline spokesperson categorically denied the accusations and said that they do not represent the views of the entire Akasa pilot community.
The airline said in a statement Saturday that it has hired 324 pilots since October 2023 and that its annualized attrition rate for its pilot workforce is under 1%. We categorically deny these allegations and they are without any foundation.’ ‘They are not the views of Akasa pilots and not just Akasa pilots,’ the spokesperson said.
In a letter dated December 11 to Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu, the pilots’ group asked for an independent probe into the airline’s management, training practices, and safety protocol. The letter said the scrutiny should ensure compliance with industry standards and procedures to keep passengers and crew safe.
To which Akasa Air responded with its employee engagement surveys showing that pilots had consistently high job satisfaction compared to all other employee groups. The airline said this supports a good work culture and little pilot discontent. The airline’s statement explained: “This dedication is further evidenced by the small number of pilots looking to seek opportunities outside Akasa Air in 2024.”
It comes after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) fined the airline ₹30 lakh in October for lapses in crew training. Since then, the allegations have made the airline a target of renewed scrutiny.
We have 26 aircraft with Akasa Air currently flying to 27 destinations, including five international cities. The challenges have minor implications, though the airline has continued to expand its operations.
Just a related development, Akasa Air has drawn interest in investment from a consortium led by the family office of Wipro founder Azim Premji’s Premji Invest and Claypond Capital, which is affiliated with Ranjan Pai of Manipal Group. Investments of $130-140 million could dilute Jhunjhunwala family and CEO Vinay Dube’s shares. If the deal happens, the Jhunjhunwala family will continue to hold around 38 percent of Akasa Air through trusts and be the largest single shareholder.
However, the unfolding situation calls out the airline’s double-faced challenge of appeasing employees while responding to market and investor scrutiny. Indeed, how well Akasa can manage to resolve these issues is likely to define its course as an entrant in India’s competitive aviation sector.