DGCA Flags Regulatory Non-Compliances and Procedural Lapses at Akasa Air

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India's aviation watchdog, has informed Akasa Air about various regulatory non-compliances found during a review of the airline's surveillance data for the April to September period. The observations noted include repetitive procedural lapses, documentation gaps, and systemic failures in adhering to regulatory requirements across key domains such as flight safety, safety management systems, and flight duty time limitations.

Akasa Air has responded by stating that it consistently submits comprehensive responses to all observations raised by the DGCA within the stipulated deadlines. The airline also highlighted that the DGCA conducts routine audits across all carriers to uphold aviation safety standards in India and reaffirmed its commitment to operational and safety excellence in line with regulatory mandates.

Akasa Air, which commenced operations over three years ago, currently operates a fleet of 30 aircraft. This news could impact investor sentiment towards the airline, potentially affecting its valuation if it were a publicly traded entity. While not a systemic market event, it underscores the importance of strict regulatory oversight in the aviation sector. Impact: 5/10 Difficult Terms: * **Regulatory non-compliances**: Failure to adhere to laws, regulations, or standards set by a governing authority. * **Procedural lapses**: Errors or omissions in executing established methods or steps required for an operation. * **Flight safety**: The condition of being protected against danger or risk during air travel, encompassing all measures taken to prevent accidents. * **Safety management system (SMS)**: A structured and systematic approach to managing safety, including organizational structure, responsibilities, policies, and procedures. * **Flight duty time limitations (FDTL)**: Regulations that specify the maximum permissible working hours and minimum rest periods for flight crew members to prevent fatigue. * **Regulatory compliance**: The act of obeying or conforming to a specific law, regulation, or standard.