Akasa Air Archives - Aviation Today

New Delhi, India: India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has flagged several regulatory and safety management lapses at Akasa Air following a routine surveillance review covering the April–September 2025 period. The authority has directed the airline to undertake corrective action after identifying “systemic failures” across multiple operational domains. The DGCA’s findings point to irregularities in Akasa Air’s flight safety systems, crew duty-time compliance, and internal safety audits. The regulator reportedly observed repetitive procedural lapses and documentation gaps, including delayed closure of internal audit findings and incomplete reviews of cockpit voice and flight data recorder (CVR/FDR) analyses. The regulator also highlighted discrepancies in the alignment of Akasa Air’s Safety Management System (SMS) manual with departmental manuals governing flight operations and engineering. In addition, not all employees had completed mandatory fatigue management training, which forms a critical component of the DGCA’s flight safety oversight framework. Akasa Air, a Mumbai-based Indian airline that launched commercial operations in August 2022. It was founded by Vinay Dube and Aditya Ghosh, with substantial backing from renowned investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala. The airline began operations on August 7, 2022, with its first flight between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, using a Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. The latest regulatory scrutiny comes as the airline continues its network expansion across domestic routes and prepares for future international growth. In its official response, Akasa Air confirmed that it had submitted detailed explanations and corrective action reports to the DGCA within prescribed timelines. The airline said it remains fully committed to maintaining “the highest levels of operational and safety excellence in line with all regulatory requirements.” Akasa also stressed that such surveillance audits are routine across all scheduled airlines and form part of ongoing safety oversight. While the DGCA has not announced any immediate punitive action, the findings reportedly include Level-II safety observations, a category indicating recurring compliance concerns that warrant close monitoring and formal corrective plans. The regulator has sought a comprehensive Corrective Action Plan (CAP) from the airline, including root cause analyses and steps to prevent recurrence.

Akasa Air Faces DGCA Scrutiny Over Safety Lapses, Regulator Orders Corrective Steps

Aviation Today News Desk / October 29, 2025

New Delhi, India: India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has flagged several regulatory and safety management […]

New Delhi, India: On Friday, October 10, 2025, Akasa Air flight QP 1607, operating a Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft from Pune to Delhi, encountered a bird strike mid-flight. The aircraft landed safely at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi shortly after 10:00 AM, with all passengers and crew deplaning without incident. Following standard operating procedures, the aircraft is undergoing a thorough inspection by Akasa Air's engineering team to assess any potential damage from the bird strike. The airline has assured that the aircraft will only return to service after completing this check. The bird strike led to a brief delay in the aircraft's subsequent scheduled flight from Delhi to Goa. As a precaution, another aircraft was deployed to operate the Goa-bound service, minimizing disruption to passengers. Akasa Air has emphasized its commitment to passenger safety and operational reliability, confirming that all safety protocols were followed during the incident. The airline continues to monitor the situation and will provide updates as necessary.

Incidents

Akasa Air Boeing 737 MAX 8 Suffers Bird Strike En Route to Delhi, Lands Safely

Aviation Today News Desk / October 11, 2025

New Delhi, India: On Friday, October 10, 2025, Akasa Air flight QP 1607, operating a Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft

Varanasi, India: A scheduled Akasa Air flight QP 1424, from Varanasi to Bengaluru failed to depart at 7:55 PM on Thursday, leaving 143 passengers stranded overnight in Varanasi following a technical issue. The flight had already been boarded when the problem surfaced. The aircraft was being pushed back from the gate toward the runway when the pilot was alerted to a fault. As a precautionary measure, the pushback was halted and the aircraft returned to the apron for further inspection. The airline’s technical crew attempted repairs for approximately three hours, but the fault could not be fixed. By around 11:30 p.m., the airline announced that the service would not operate. Passengers waited for several hours at the airport before being informed of the cancellation. Subsequently, Akasa Air made arrangements to accommodate the affected passengers in nearby hotels for the night. An Akasa Air spokesperson said “Passengers who chose alternate flight options were provided airport transfers and refreshments. At Akasa Air, passenger safety and comfort are paramount, and we deeply regret the inconvenience caused.” Authorities and airline officials have yet to release a public statement explaining the precise nature of the technical fault. No further updates regarding compensation or rebooking timelines have been formally communicated.

Incidents

Akasa Air Flight Cancelled After Technical Glitch, 143 Passengers Stranded Overnight

Aviation Today News Desk / September 27, 2025

Varanasi, India: A scheduled Akasa Air flight QP 1424, from Varanasi to Bengaluru failed to depart at 7:55 PM on

New Delhi, India: India’s youngest airline, Akasa Air, has completed three years of commercial operations and unveiled plans to expand its international footprint into South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nations and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region in the coming years. The Mumbai-based carrier, which operated its maiden flight on August 7, 2022, has grown into a network covering 28 destinations, 23 domestic and five international cities, including Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Doha, Riyadh, and Jeddah. The airline said it aims to leverage upcoming infrastructure at Navi Mumbai International Airport and Noida International Airport to deepen its domestic network and support long-haul regional routes. Akasa Air has carried more than 19 million passengers since inception, including over 8 million in the last 12 months alone. The airline has recorded a consistent load factor above 87 percent and completed over 100,000 departures more than 3,800 of which were international flights. In addition, the carrier has transported over 131,000 tonnes of cargo and secured partnerships with more than 1,150 corporate clients. The airline currently operates a fleet of 30 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in 189- and 197-seat configurations. Orders include additional Boeing 737 MAX 8, MAX 200, and MAX 10 aircraft, which will be inducted over the next several years. Speaking to The Times of India Akasa Air founder and chief executive officer Vinay Dube said Boeing’s production output is “gradually returning to its historic production strength” after a prolonged slowdown, adding that this will allow the airline to receive deliveries on schedule and support its growth strategy. In the financial year ending March 2025, Akasa Air reported a 49 percent year-on-year increase in revenue and a 48 percent rise in available seat kilometres. The airline has set a target of increasing capacity by over 30 percent in the current fiscal year. The carrier also entered into a codeshare agreement with Etihad Airways in March 2025, enabling passengers to book combined itineraries across both networks. The partnership is expected to strengthen connectivity to the Middle East and beyond, while providing a platform for future route expansions into Southeast Asia. Industry analysts note that Akasa’s measured but ambitious growth contrasts with the more aggressive early expansions attempted by some of its predecessors in India’s low-cost segment. With South and Southeast Asia’s aviation markets projected to grow significantly in the next decade, Akasa Air’s entry into these regions could place it in direct competition with established carriers such as AirAsia, Batik Air, SriLankan Airlines, and Malindo Air. The airline’s leadership maintains that its strategy focuses on disciplined growth and service quality. Akasa Air’s third anniversary underscores its rapid ascent in India’s aviation sector, driven by operational efficiency, prudent fleet expansion, and targeted market entry.

Airlines

India’s Youngest Airline Akasa Air Marks 3 Years With 49% Year-on-Year Revenue Growth

Aviation Today News Desk / August 12, 2025

New Delhi, India: India’s youngest airline, Akasa Air, has completed three years of commercial operations and unveiled plans to expand

India

Night-Time DGCA Audits Expose Gaps in Aircraft Maintenance, Safety Protocols Violated

Aviation Today News Desk / June 27, 2025

Delhi, India: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has raised safety concerns after identifying repeated aircraft defects and operational

Bengaluru, India: In a significant milestone for India’s newest airline, Akasa Air has officially inducted its 29th aircraft into its growing fleet. The new Boeing 737 MAX 8-200, bearing the registration VT-YBG, landed at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport on Sunday. Akasa Air, which began operations in August 2022, has now reached 29 aircraft in less than three years of commercial service. This addition underscores the airline’s accelerated fleet expansion plan, which aims to double its current capacity in the next two years. The latest aircraft is part of Akasa’s large order book of over 200 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, including both the MAX 8 and the high-density MAX 8-200 variants. The MAX 8-200 aircraft offer increased seating and fuel efficiency, enabling the airline to improve operating economics while maintaining passenger comfort. The airline’s operations team and ground staff welcomed the aircraft with customary water cannon salutes and internal handover protocols. Akasa officials stated that this induction not only marks a numeric achievement but also aligns with the airline’s strategy to increase route frequency and add new destinations across India and abroad. The fleet expansion is crucial to accommodate the rising passenger demand, particularly as the aviation sector sees strong recovery and growth across Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities. Alongside its growing fleet, Akasa is actively preparing for operations out of the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport. The airline’s leadership, including CEO Vinay Dube, confirmed that Akasa plans to operate up to 50 daily departures from the new airport once it becomes operational. Initial schedules are expected to include around 15 domestic and international flights. This move is seen as part of Akasa’s long-term strategy to diversify airport bases and serve emerging passenger corridors beyond existing metros. With consistent aircraft deliveries and a focused route network strategy, Akasa Air continues to position itself as a major player in the Indian aviation sector.

Airlines

Akasa Air Receives 29th Boeing 737 MAX, Plans 50 Daily Flights from Navi Mumbai Airport

Aviation Today News Desk / June 10, 2025

Picture Credits: Akasa Air Bengaluru, India: In a significant milestone for India’s newest airline, Akasa Air has officially inducted its

Akasa Air, India, Indian Airlines, Indian Aviation

Akasa Air Crosses 17M Passengers and 100K Flights in 3 Years, Expands Global Reach

Aviation Today News Desk / April 23, 2025

Picture Credits: Akasa Air Mumbai, INDIA: Since commencing operations in August 2022, Akasa Air has marked several significant milestones, demonstrating

Akasa Air is experiencing operational difficulties due to Boeing’s delayed aircraft deliveries, leaving hundreds of its pilots without work | Aviation Today

Boeing, Indian Airlines

Boeing Delays Leave 310 Akasa Air Pilots Waiting, Disrupting Expansion Plans

Aviation Today News Desk / March 25, 2025

Picture credits: Akasa Air India: Akasa Air is experiencing operational difficulties due to Boeing’s delayed aircraft deliveries, leaving a significant

India: Akasa Air has raised significant concerns regarding the allocation of bilateral flying rights to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The airline argues that the current distribution of these rights creates an unequal playing field, depriving it of a fair opportunity to compete with established players such as Air India and IndiGo | Aviation Today

Indian Airlines

Akasa Air Raises Concerns Over UAE Traffic Rights in a Letter to Government

Aviation Today News Desk / January 31, 2025

Picture credits: Akasa Air India: Akasa Air has raised significant concerns regarding the allocation of bilateral flying rights to the

DGCA suspends 2 Akasa Air officials for six months after an audit revealed failure to follow RNP approaches, compromising aviation safety | Aviation Today

Airlines, Indian Airlines

Akasa Air Officials Suspended by DGCA for Pilot Training Violations

Aviation Today News Desk / December 28, 2024

Image source: Airlines Inform India: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has suspended two senior officials of Akasa Air

Akasa Air

Akasa Air Faces DGCA Scrutiny Over Safety Lapses, Regulator Orders Corrective Steps

Akasa Air Boeing 737 MAX 8 Suffers Bird Strike En Route to Delhi, Lands Safely

Akasa Air Flight Cancelled After Technical Glitch, 143 Passengers Stranded Overnight

India’s Youngest Airline Akasa Air Marks 3 Years With 49% Year-on-Year Revenue Growth

Night-Time DGCA Audits Expose Gaps in Aircraft Maintenance, Safety Protocols Violated

Akasa Air Receives 29th Boeing 737 MAX, Plans 50 Daily Flights from Navi Mumbai Airport

Akasa Air Crosses 17M Passengers and 100K Flights in 3 Years, Expands Global Reach

Boeing Delays Leave 310 Akasa Air Pilots Waiting, Disrupting Expansion Plans

Akasa Air Raises Concerns Over UAE Traffic Rights in a Letter to Government

Akasa Air Officials Suspended by DGCA for Pilot Training Violations

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