India’s aviation watchdog issues show cause notice to Akasa Air, BA

India’s aviation watchdog has issued a show cause notice to Akasa Airlines over several regulatory breaches identified during a recent review, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in a statement on Thursday. Akasa Air, which started flying international in March, was found to be non-compliant with civil aviation regulations and Rule 140C of The Aircraft Rules 1937, which mandate scheduled air transport services to carry a route guide.

The airline said it had received a DGCA notice regarding the audit conducted in May, and it would submit a response. The DGCA’s spot audit also uncovered that Akasa’s practical training sessions were carried out and simulated without the necessary regulatory approvals, raising concerns about the adequacy of the training standards and operational readiness.

The watchdog has asked Akasa to provide an explanation for the lapses within a period of seven days. Akasa, the latest addition to India’s aviation sector, faced significant setbacks last year after many of its pilots quit, leading to reduced flight operations and a loss of market share. The company has since announced that the problem was resolved. The carrier had a market share of 4.5 per cent at the end of the March quarter, smaller than rivals IndiGo, SpiceJet, Vistara and Air India.