Civil aviation safety regulator DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) on Friday suspended the operations director and training director of Akasa Air for six months. This action was taken after serious lapses were found in the training of pilots. DGCA said in its order that senior officials of this airline, supported by Rakesh Jhunjhunwala family, have failed to ensure compliance with the security provisions related to civil aviation.
Show cause notice and unsatisfactory reply
The DGCA had earlier issued show cause notices to the operations and training directors of Akasa Air on October 15 and 30. Finding the responses received from both the officers unsatisfactory, the regulator ordered their suspension for six months. With this suspension, DGCA has advised the airline to appoint qualified and suitable candidates to both these posts.
Confirmation of technical glitch in training
DGCA audited the Mumbai-based operations center of SNV Aviation Private Limited (Akasa Air) on 7 October 2024. The audit found that RNP (Required Navigation Performance) training was being conducted on a simulator that was not suitable for this training. This was a clear violation of aviation safety standards.
Akasa Air’s response
Responding to this action, Akasa Air said that it will continue to work closely with DGCA and comply with all the rules issued by it. “We give safety the highest priority and are committed to maintaining the highest safety standards,” the airline said in its statement.
Importance of security breach
This step of DGCA makes it clear that there will be no compromise on safety in the aviation sector. Technical glitches and use of improper equipment during pilots’ training can pose potential risks, posing a serious threat to the safety of passengers.
the way forward
After this suspension order issued by DGCA, Akasa Air will have to improve its operations and training departments. Along with this, the airline will have to ensure that such negligence does not happen in future.
The incident underlines the need for strict enforcement of safety standards in the aviation sector. This strict action of DGCA is being seen as a warning to ensure the safety of passengers.
