MUMBAI- The Late Rakesh Jhunjhunwala-backed Akasa Air (QP) is again in trouble as Pilots accuse the airline of harassment, unfair practices, and safety concerns.
Mumbai-based carrier pilots wrote a letter to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) on December 10, 2024, about their problems.
Akasa Air Pilots Accusations
According to the letter, a total of 84 pilots and many others have resigned from Akasa Air on short notice, citing the airline’s problematic management under Captain Floyd Gracious and his associates. The pilots allege that Akasa Air’s management, led by Captain Gracious, has contributed to a “demoralizing and hostile training environment” through biased and unprofessional conduct.
The letter highlights three key areas of concern:
- Harassment and Unfair Training Practices: The pilots state that they have been subjected to harassment and humiliation during training sessions conducted by DGCA-designated examiners and instructors. This includes Kunal Khajuria, Suraj Bhatia, Sameer Patel, Cedric Dsilva, Neoimi Dsilva, Anderson, and Swetlana. These trainers are accused of exhibiting biased assessments, rude behavior, and an unprofessional attitude that has created a demoralized work environment.
- High Failure Rate Among Pilots: The letter reveals that Akasa Air has reportedly failed 216 pilots in simulator and aircraft evaluations. It is noteworthy that none of these failures involve Flyods, the associates of Captain Gracious. This raises serious concerns about the fairness and objectivity of the airline’s assessment procedures.
- Violation of DGCA Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR): The letter alleges that Akasa Air has violated DGCA’s fair, transparent, and unbiased assessment standards. The airline is accused of promoting and placing individuals with bare minimum or zero STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) experience in critical roles such as Captains, LTCs, TRIs, and DEs, despite a history of multiple BA (Breath Analyzer) positive incidents, accidents, and safety violations.
Demanding Strict Action
In light of these concerns, the Akasa Pilots have requested the following actions from the Honorable Minister of Civil Aviation:
- An immediate independent investigation into Akasa Air’s management practices, training methods, and safety standards.
- A comprehensive review of DGCA-designated examiners and instructors to ensure unbiased and professional conduct.
- Strict enforcement of DGCA CAR provisions to protect trainees and ensure fair assessments.
- A safety audit to address concerns about unfit pilots holding critical positions.
The pilots express confidence that the Minister’s intervention will help restore fairness, transparency, and safety within Akasa Air. This will help uphold the integrity of India’s aviation industry.
Official Remarks
In a response to these allegations, Akasa Air told Aviation A2Z that they deny them, and it’s completely baseless. They said,
We categorically deny these allegations as baseless and untrue. Nor do they represent the views of Akasa pilots.
Akasa Air Official Statement
At Akasa Air, our commitment to employee centricity is at the heart of everything we do. Our monthly employee survey reveals that pilots, amongst all employee groups have consistently reported the highest levels of job satisfaction, highlighting the effectiveness of our supportive culture. This dedication is further evidenced by the minimal number of pilots seeking opportunities outside of Akasa Air throughout 2024.
For context, 324 pilots have joined Akasa since October 2023. During this same period, we have recorded an annualised attrition of less than 1% for this employee group.
We are focused on building a brand that resonates with both our customers and our employees, ensuring that our team feels proud to be part of our journey.”
Legal Actions Against Pilots
In September 2023, Akasa Air pursued legal recourse against 43 of its pilots who had chosen to join other airlines without fulfilling their contractual notice periods.
Akasa, which commenced operations just 13 months ago at that time, sought approximately ₹22 crore in compensation from these 43 pilots. The airline claims that the substantial departure of these pilots has compelled it to cancel several of its flight operations since August 2023, leading to significant revenue losses and reputational damage.
“We have initiated legal action exclusively against a limited group of pilots who neglected their responsibilities and departed without fulfilling their obligatory contractual notice period,” stated an Akasa Air representative.
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