The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has suspended a designated examiner from Akasa Air due to mistakes made during a pilot skill test.
As a result, the DGCA has decided to reset the training process for all affected pilot trainees and has cancelled the examiner’s pilot test.
DGCA Suspends Akasa Air Examiner Over Procedural Errors
Sources familiar with the matter said the incident was reported to DGCA by Akasa Air’s Director of Training.
Designated examiners are responsible for evaluating pilot skills and play a crucial role in ensuring flight safety.
An Akasa Air spokesperson stated that safety is the airline’s top priority.
They added, “Each designated examiner (DE), along with every employee at Akasa, upholds the highest safety standards. The main goal of any DE is to carry out training and assessments professionally, following all rules and safety guidelines—without passing anyone who doesn’t meet the required standards.”
The DGCA officially suspended the examiner for six months on July 29.
This decision was based on procedural issues and specific observations made during a check session. The DGCA also referred to an email sent by Akasa’s Director of Training on May 26, 2025, highlighting concerns.
Additionally, the senior pilot involved received a warning and was told to follow all rules and standards strictly from now on.
Akasa Fined Rs. 10 Lakh for Not Refunding Passengers
Earlier in March, DGCA fined Akasa Air Rs 10 lakh for failing to refund seven passengers who were denied boarding on a September 6 flight from Bengaluru to Pune.
The original flight was grounded, and the replacement aircraft had nine non-functional seats. As a result, Akasa had to shift seven passengers to an IndiGo flight that left nearly two hours later.
As per the rules, each of the seven passengers was supposed to receive Rs 10,000 in compensation, but they didn’t. This led to the penalty being imposed on Akasa Air.
