Pilot exodus at Akasa Air sparks controversy, airline denies lax training, safety standards

A group of Akasa Air pilots has raised concerns about ‘training and safety issues’ at the airline, prompting them to seek the intervention of the civil aviation ministry. The airline, however, has dismissed the claims as baseless, as per PTI report.

In a letter dated December 11 addressed to Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu, the pilots urged an independent probe into the airline’s management practices, training methods, and safety standards. They also alleged that 84 pilots resigned on a one-day notice, escalating concerns over staff attrition, the report added.

In response, an Akasa Air spokesperson firmly denied the allegations, stating, “We categorically deny these allegations as baseless and untrue. Nor do they represent the views of Akasa pilots,” as quoted by PTI.

The airline further noted that 324 pilots have joined since October 2023, and attrition among its pilots remains below 1% on an annualized basis. “This dedication is further evidenced by the minimal number of pilots seeking opportunities outside of Akasa Air throughout 2024,” the airline said in a statement, citing high job satisfaction levels in its monthly employee surveys.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had previously fined Akasa Air Rs. 30 lakh in October over lapses in crew training. Despite these challenges, Akasa Air operates a fleet of 26 planes, serving 27 destinations, including five international cities.

Akasa Air’s Strategic Codeshare Partnership with Etihad

In a quiet but strategic move, Akasa Air launched its first codeshare partnership with Etihad Airways. While not formally announced, flights operated by Akasa Air under Etihad’s codeshare have appeared on Etihad’s booking platform.

The partnership covers flights from Ahmedabad and Bengaluru to Abu Dhabi, beginning in March 2025. Akasa Air is also selling these flights on its own platform. This marks a significant milestone for the airline, which began operations in August 2022.

Codeshare agreements, a common practice among global carriers, are rare for young airlines like Akasa Air. In comparison, IndiGo took 13 years to establish its first codeshare in 2019, and SpiceJet and Go FIRST have struggled to forge similar agreements.