BackAkasa Air set to reduce flights after several pilots quit abruptly
Budget carrier Akasa Air reduces flights due to resignations, will give up market share for stable operations.
PremiumNewly launched budget carrier Akasa Air has been forced to reduce flights amid a spate of resignations. CEO Vinay Dube told employees in an email late on Tuesday that the airline would give up market share in the short term to ensure stable operations. The development came mere days after the company said it had taken legal action against the "small set of pilots" who left without serving their notice period.
"When a small set of pilots abandoned their duties and left without serving their mandatory contractual notice period, it forced a disruption of flights between July and September, necessitating last minute cancellations," Dube said in the email reviewed by Reuters.
He also stressed the temporary nature of this arrangement amid assertions that the company may ‘shut down’ after the exit of 43 pilots.
ALSO READ: Akasa sues 43 pilots for joining other airlines without serving a notice period
According to a recent Business Standard report, lawyers representing the airline told the Delhi High Court that Akasa Air was facing a ‘state of crisis’ and possible closure after the exit of numerous pilots. It had called for the DGCA to enforce the mandatory notice period rule (six months for co-pilots, 1 year for commanders).
The abrupt exits had also forced Akasa Air to cancel hundreds of flights in the past few months. Reportedly, it could cancel up to 600 or 700 flights in September alone in case the spate of resignations continue.
“Not only is this illegal in law but also an unethical and selfish act that disrupted flights in August forcing last minute cancellations that stranded thousands of customers causing significant inconvenience to the travelling public," an Akasa Air spokesperson said in a recent statement.
(With inputs from agencies)
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