Akasa Air in Hot Water for Regulatory Violations

Regulatory Troubles for Akasa Air

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has issued a show-cause notice to Akasa Air for regulatory breaches identified during a recent review of flight operations.

The aviation regulator conducted spot audits and found that crew practical training sessions were being simulated and completed without the required regulatory approvals. This raised concerns about the adequacy of training standards and operational readiness. The DGCA has instructed the company to provide an explanation within one week.

Akasa started operating in August 2022, with its inaugural flight from Mumbai to Ahmedabad. In March, the company commenced its first international route, flying from Mumbai to Doha. According to government data, Akasa transported over 600,000 passengers in July, capturing a market share of approximately 4.7 percent.

Last week, co-founder and CEO Vinay Dube stated that he anticipates Akasa Air becoming profitable within the next three years, even though the company has incurred losses of more than ₹ 2,400 crore in its first two years. In an interview with the Economic Times, Mr. Dube also mentioned that he intends to take the company public by 2028.

"We believe we have a strong financial future. Listing is in our future... but you never say never. We hope to list someday," he told the news agency PTI in an interview in March.