unable to intervene in a conflict involving Akasa Air and its pilots: DGCA

 unable to intervene in a conflict involving Akasa Air and its pilots: DGCA

The DGCA stated that it "does not have any authority or delegated power to interfere in any employment contract."

According to a legal filing, India's aviation authorities have decided against getting involved in a disagreement between Akasa Air and its pilots after the low-cost carrier accused the regulator of being inactive.

In recent weeks, over 40 of Akasa's 450 pilots resigned without giving notice. The airline has sued several of them and sued the Indian government in court for refusing to address suspected pilot "misconduct" as a result. The airline has also issued a shutdown warning as a result of the problem.

Some pilot organisations are suing the government of India over the need for pilots to give six to twelve months' notice. In a lawsuit against the regulator for failing to act in the public interest, Akasa maintains that its contractual duties to pilots are still in effect.

In a Sept. 22 filing before the Delhi High Court, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the aviation ministry stated that Akasa's plea should be dismissed because the regulator is powerless to intervene in the situation.

The DGCA "does not have any authority or delegated power to interfere in any employment contract," it stated.

Despite having previously stated that it was in talks with the DGCA, Akasa declined to comment on the most recent file, which was reviewed by Reuters.

An employee of the DGCA declined to comment

The airline Akasa claims that the DGCA was "unwilling to take any action," which caused "significant financial and operational hardship."

According to Akasa, the airline cancelled 632 flights in August, or an estimated 18% of the 3,500 flights it typically operates each month.

The DGCA disputed that claim in its court filing, stating that Akasa "categorically denies" that it "provided any documents or reasons" in regard to cancellation due to pilot departures.

Only 1.17% of Akasa's flights were cancelled in August, according to data shared.

The Federation of Indian Pilots, which has 6,000 members, reacted to Akasa's request by claiming that the statistics about flight cancellations were "unsubstantiated" and that the DGCA was powerless to intervene in the matter.

"Alleged mass resignation of pilots... also serves as an indication of employee discontent," the federation added.