"Grounded: Aviation Authority Suspends Akasa Air Directors Over Pilot Training Lapses"

The DGCA has issued an order stating that two senior executives of the airline, part-owned by the Rakesh Jhunjhunwala family, have not met civil aviation compliance standards, highlighting significant lapses in regulatory adherence.

Mumbai's aviation landscape is currently witnessing scrutiny as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken decisive action against two high-ranking officials at Akasa Air. On Friday, the regulator announced a six-month suspension for both the director of operations and the director of training, citing significant shortcomings in the training protocols for pilots.

The actions taken against these senior executives stem from their apparent failure to adhere to vital civil aviation regulations. The DGCA issued separate orders on December 27, highlighting that these individuals did not fulfill their responsibilities concerning compliance with the requirements set forth by civil aviation authorities.

The suspension comes after a thorough examination of the responses provided by the officials to the show-cause notices they received on October 15 and October 30. The DGCA deemed these replies inadequate, prompting a more severe response from the regulatory body. Furthermore, the DGCA has encouraged Akasa Air to appoint suitable replacements for these positions during the suspension period.

As of now, a response from Akasa regarding this situation remains pending. The DGCA has emphasized that their decision was influenced by findings from a regulatory audit conducted on October 7, 2024, at Akasa Air's facilities in Mumbai. It was discovered that RNP (Required Navigation Performance) training for approaches was being conducted using simulators that had not received the necessary qualifications, leading to a direct violation of the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) specified in Para 7 of Section 7, Series D, Part VI.

In the orders issued, the DGCA pointed out that the director of operations and the director of training at Akasa Air had not only failed to guarantee compliance with the regulations but had also not adequately trained personnel. This lack of proper training was described as a repeated violation, indicating ongoing issues within the airline's training protocols.

Moreover, the DGCA's order underscores the importance of these positions in maintaining the safety and legal compliance of airline operations. The regulator stated that the two executives failed to fulfill their obligations to uphold the legal standards essential for ensuring safe operations, as mandated by specific provisions of the CAR.

This incident reflects the critical role of regulatory oversight in the aviation sector, particularly concerning training and safety. The DGCA's actions serve as a reminder that maintaining high standards in pilot training is not only a legal obligation but also a crucial aspect of aviation safety. The hope is that Akasa Air will take the necessary steps to rectify these issues and enhance their training programs, thereby ensuring that such lapses do not occur in the future.

The emphasis on compliance and regulation is pivotal for the airline industry, particularly in a growing market like India, where safety is paramount. Stakeholders in the aviation industry await further developments on this matter as Akasa navigates these regulatory challenges.