Action against Akasa Air pilot for lapse; IndiGo will challenge the fine imposed by the Customs Department

The aviation regulator (DGCA) has taken action against the pilot of Akasa Air. This action has been taken due to the lapse in the landing of a passenger aircraft in March 2024. According to sources, the DGCA has withdrawn the approval of the Line Training Captain given to the pilot till further orders. Apart from this, the pilot's permission to do short take-off and landing (STOL) has also been withdrawn. This lapse is a part of the regulatory investigation of Akasa Air.

On the other hand, the Customs Department has imposed a fine of 2.17 crores on Indigo Airlines. The company is opposing this order of the department and will challenge it. According to a regulatory filing, the fine was imposed after the airline refused to grant duty exemption on the import of aircraft parts.

In an order issued on Monday, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said that an audit of Akasa Air was conducted in October last year, which revealed a hard landing by the pilot. This means that the plane hit the runway abnormally.

The order said that the incident was closed with a counseling session. Additionally, no corrective training was given to the pilot concerned.

The DGCA found that the information provided by the airline and the pilot in response to the show cause notice sent in November 2024 was not satisfactory. Therefore, it has decided to withdraw the pilot's Line Training Captain (LTC) and STOL privileges immediately.

The captain has also been asked to undergo a two-hour session of corrective training in the simulator placement with emphasis on the hazards of flare, touchdown missed approach, and canceled go-around. Akasa Air did not immediately respond.

Last month, the DGCA ordered the suspension of Akasa Air's operations director and training director for six months owing to deficiencies in pilot training. The move came after some pilots wrote to the DGCA, raising certain training and safety issues that were termed as baseless by the airline.

Apart from this, the DGCA in October slapped a penalty of Rs 30 lakh on Akasa Air for deficiencies in crew training. IndiGo Airlines, on Monday, said the Customs Department has slapped a fine of Rs 2.17 crore on it, which the company would challenge the order at appropriate forum.

IndiGo, meanwhile, said it would challenge the order before the appropriate appellate authority and mentioned that 'it has no significant impact on the financial position, operations or other activities of the company.'