'No Pilot Shortage' Says CEO Vinay Dube As Akasa Air Cancels 10 Flights In Two Days
All seems to be not well with India's youngest airline Akasa Air, as the airline had to cancel 10 flights in two days.
Akasa Air acknowledged the cancellations on Monday and termed it an aberration.
Ten flights cancelled in two days?
"We apologise for the inconvenience caused due to the cancellation of some flights on February 11-12, 2024. This was an aberration...," a spokesperson of Akasa Air said in a statement.
Akasa Air did not provide further details on what led to the cancellations.
But according to some reports, Akasa Air is facing a pilot shortage, forcing the airline to reduce flights.
There are reports that the carrier was not getting adequate slots for training pilots who have joined it. As a result, there is a shortage of trained pilots.
No pilot shortage: Akasa Air
Akasa Air, however, rejected reports of pilot shortage.
"I would like to clarify that we do not have a shortage of pilots. Akasa Air is sufficiently staffed with over 600 pilots, enough to operate more than double the size of our current fleet," Akasa Air CEO Vinay Dube said in a statement.
Akasa Air has 24 Boeing 737 Max aircraft in its fleet and operates flights to 20 destinations across India.
The airline co-founded by the late Rakesh Jhunjhunwala started flying in August 2022 and has run into several problems in its short existence.
Akasa Air vs pilots
In September 2023, Akasa Air had filed a case against 40 pilots who abruptly quit their jobs, without serving the mandatory notice periods.
Akasa Air's pilots are required to serve a notice period of six months, for first officers, and one year for captains.
The airline had sought significant compensation from each pilot, reaching into crores, citing "operational losses" and damage to the airline's reputation due to the abrupt flight cancellations resulting from their premature departures.?
Akasa Air had said that the pilots' actions were in violation of their contracts and also the country's civil aviation regulations.?
"It is not only illegal but also unethical and self-serving, causing disruptions to flights," the airline had said.
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