Akasa Air Archives - Aviation Today

IndiGo Tops India In Pilot Numbers But Has Lowest Pilot-To-Aircraft Ratio At 7.6

Aviation Today News Desk / March 13, 2026

New Delhi, India: India’s largest airline IndiGo has the lowest pilot-to-aircraft ratio among domestic carriers, the government informed Parliament, highlighting […]

Incidents

Passenger Charged For Smoking In Lavatory On Delhi-Goa Akasa Air Flight

Aviation Today News Desk / March 10, 2026

Goa, India: A passenger has been charged after allegedly smoking a beedi (hand-rolled cigarette) inside the lavatory of an Akasa

Middle East

US–Israel–Iran War Trigggers Widespread Airspace Closures, 4,000+ Flight Cancellations

Aviation Today News Desk / March 2, 2026

Middle East: Global air travel faced unprecedented disruption this weekend after the United States and Israel launched a large-scale attack

India

India’s Domestic Air Traffic Hits 166.9M Passengers In 2025 Despite IndiGo Disruptions

Aviation Today News Desk / February 15, 2026

Delhi, India: India’s domestic aviation sector sustained its expansion in 2025, with scheduled domestic carriers ferrying 1,669.46 lakh (166.946 million) passengers for

India

DGCA Says 377 Of 754 Indian Commercial Aircrafts Show Recurring Technical Defects

Aviation Today News Desk / February 6, 2026

Delhi, India: Nearly 50% of Indian commercial aircraft audited by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have been identified

Delhi, India: India’s civil aviation sector marked a significant milestone in 2024 with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issuing a record number of Commercial Pilot Licenses (CPLs), reflecting rapid expansion in pilot training activity amid growing air travel demand. According to an official statement released by the Civil Aviation Ministry, the DGCA issued 1,628 commercial pilot licenses in 2024, the highest number recorded in any year in the history of Indian civil aviation. The figure represents an increase of more than 2.5 times compared with eight years earlier, underscoring the sector’s growth trajectory. The ministry’s release provided a multi-year breakdown of CPL issuances, showing the progression of licenses granted over recent years. In 2018, the DGCA issued 640 CPLs, followed by 744 in 2019 and a dip to 578 in 2020. Numbers rebounded to 862 in 2021 and climbed further to 1,165 in 2022 and 1,622 in 2023 before reaching the current high. The surge in pilot licensing occurs against the backdrop of India’s expanding aviation market, where fleet growth and rising passenger demand have placed increasing emphasis on pilot recruitment pipelines. Analysts and industry officials have highlighted that airlines will require tens of thousands of additional pilots over the next decade to support fleet expansion and maintain operational schedules. Beyond licensing, the Civil Aviation Ministry said in its release that it maintained active oversight of airline fare levels throughout 2024, leveraging real-time data and coordination with carriers and online travel agencies. During IndiGo operational disruption in December, the ministry invoked regulatory powers to enforce fare caps and guard passengers against opportunistic pricing. Civil aviation stakeholders said the record issuance of CPLs reflects both increased capacity at flying training organisations and more streamlined processes via the DGCA’s digital licensing platform. However, industry leaders continue to stress the need for enhanced infrastructure, cost-efficient training pathways and strategic policy support to fully leverage the growing pool of qualified pilots.

Pilots

DGCA Records India’s Highest-Ever CPL Issuance With 1,628 Licenses Issued In 2024

Aviation Today News Desk / January 23, 2026

Delhi, India: India’s civil aviation sector marked a significant milestone in 2024 with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)

Delhi, India: Air traffic in and out of Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) is facing significant disruption this week as temporary airspace closures come into force ahead of the 77th Republic Day celebrations. Authorities have issued formal restrictions that are expected to affect hundreds of scheduled flights between January 21 and January 26. Under Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) issued by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and associated civil aviation agencies, the airspace over Delhi will be closed to commercial departures and arrivals daily between 10:20 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. (IST) for a duration of 2 hours 25 minutes. The restrictions are designed to facilitate military flypast rehearsals, parade drills and associated aerial security procedures ahead of the Republic Day parade. According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, more than 600 flights are likely to be delayed, rescheduled or cancelled over the six-day period due to the closure coinciding with one of IGIA’s busiest scheduling windows. Airlines have warned of unpredictable movement patterns throughout the affected window, with adjustments to flight departures and arrivals increasingly likely during the restricted hours. Passengers travelling to or from Delhi are being urged to check flight status updates directly with carriers before their scheduled departure. On January 19, well ahead of the formal restriction dates, three Srinagar–Delhi flights were cancelled as preliminary rehearsals triggered temporary shutdowns of critical airspace corridors, highlighting the cascading impacts of the restrictions. Regional disruptions are also emerging. On the Delhi–Pantnagar route, early-morning services were cancelled due to the imposed no-fly zone, with airlines offering rebooking or refunds to affected passengers. Similarly, two Air India flights operating between Nagpur and Delhi have been cancelled through January 26 as operators adjust schedules in light of the closure. The closures coincide with peak winter weather conditions in the national capital region. Dense fog and poor visibility have already contributed to flight delays and cancellations at IGIA and other airports in northern India in recent days. A travel advisory issued on January 17 by Delhi Airport officials highlighted that persistent fog coupled with heightened Republic Day security measures could create compounded challenges for passengers and airlines. The airspace restrictions form part of an integrated national security plan for Republic Day, which also includes extensive no-fly zones and road traffic curbs in central Delhi on rehearsal and parade days. Delhi Police and civil aviation authorities have coordinated the measures to balance security needs with transport continuity.

Airports

Republic Day Airspace Closures May Affect 600+ Flights At Delhi IGIA For 6 Days

Aviation Today News Desk / January 21, 2026

Delhi, India: Air traffic in and out of Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) is facing significant disruption this week as

Pune, India: A morning flight operated by Akasa Air from Pune to Bengaluru was significantly delayed on Tuesday after a last-minute technical issue was detected in the aircraft, leading the airline to deplane all passengers and reschedule the service. The Bengaluru-bound flight QP1312, scheduled to depart Pune at 8:50 am, had completed boarding by around 8:10 am when crew members identified a fault in the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft just before departure. Passengers remained seated on board for nearly 90 minutes before airline staff asked them to disembark as a precaution and to carry out further technical checks. In a communication to passengers, Akasa Air stated that the flight had been delayed due to operational reasons and provided a revised departure time of 1:15 pm. The airline also confirmed that the aircraft was undergoing inspection before it could be cleared for take-off. An Akasa Air spokesperson said that affected passengers were offered options to reschedule on an alternative evening flight, and that the refund process had been initiated for those who chose not to travel. Ground staff and Akasa Care teams remained available at Pune Airport to assist travellers. One passenger, who spoke to news agency PTI, confirmed that the flight was held up on the tarmac after a technical issue was reported and that all on board were asked to leave the aircraft once the problem was identified. No further details about the specific nature of the technical issue were provided publicly by the airline at the time of reporting. Akasa Air reiterated its commitment to passenger safety and said it regretted the inconvenience caused by the unforeseen delay.

Incidents

Akasa Air Pune–Bengaluru Flight QP1312 Face 4-Hour Delay After Technical Issue

Aviation Today News Desk / January 14, 2026

Pune, India: A morning flight operated by Akasa Air from Pune to Bengaluru was significantly delayed on Tuesday after a

New Delhi, India: Akasa Air has formally joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA), marking a significant milestone for the young Indian carrier and strengthening its standing within the global aviation ecosystem. With this development, Akasa Air becomes the fifth Indian airline to be part of IATA, joining Air India, IndiGo, Air India Express, and SpiceJet. The membership places the airline among more than 360 carriers worldwide that together account for over 80 percent of global air traffic. Akasa Air’s inclusion follows the successful completion of the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), a globally recognised safety and operational assessment programme that is a mandatory requirement for IATA membership. The audit evaluates an airline’s flight operations, maintenance systems, safety management, security, and organisational processes against international standards. According to IATA’s official member directory, Akasa Air operating under SNV Aviation Private Limited is now listed as an IATA member airline in the Asia-Pacific region. Industry experts view the development as a key step in Akasa Air’s international integration, particularly as the airline expands overseas operations and explores deeper cooperation with global carriers. IATA membership provides access to industry-standard settlement systems, safety data sharing, regulatory coordination platforms, and global best practices. Akasa Air founded in 2020 by Vinay Dube and in substantial backing of the late Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, the renowned Indian investor widely referred to as the “Big Bull” of the stock market. Akasa Air commenced commercial operations in August 2022 and operates a fleet of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The airline serves a growing domestic network and has gradually expanded international services since 2024. Company leadership has previously outlined long-term ambitions to scale fleet size and rank among the world’s leading airlines over the next decade. For India’s aviation sector, Akasa Air’s entry into IATA reflects the continued expansion and maturation of the country’s airline industry, at a time when passenger demand and global connectivity from India are rising steadily.

Airlines

Akasa Air Joins IATA Within Four Years Of Launch, Becomes India’s Fifth Member Airline

Aviation Today News Desk / January 12, 2026

New Delhi, India: Akasa Air has formally joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA), marking a significant milestone for the

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.

Airlines

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

Akasa Air

IndiGo Tops India In Pilot Numbers But Has Lowest Pilot-To-Aircraft Ratio At 7.6

Passenger Charged For Smoking In Lavatory On Delhi-Goa Akasa Air Flight

US–Israel–Iran War Trigggers Widespread Airspace Closures, 4,000+ Flight Cancellations

DGCA Says 377 Of 754 Indian Commercial Aircrafts Show Recurring Technical Defects

DGCA Records India’s Highest-Ever CPL Issuance With 1,628 Licenses Issued In 2024

Republic Day Airspace Closures May Affect 600+ Flights At Delhi IGIA For 6 Days

Akasa Air Pune–Bengaluru Flight QP1312 Face 4-Hour Delay After Technical Issue

Akasa Air Joins IATA Within Four Years Of Launch, Becomes India’s Fifth Member Airline

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

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