Akasa Air has increased penalties for pilots who leave the airline to join Air India Express without giving a six-month notice period.
Akasa Air has filed a writ petition in the Delhi High Court seeking criminal action against 36 such pilots. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation is a respondent in the writ petition and a hearing is expected to be held on Tuesday.
The writ petition came after the airline decided to approach the Bombay High Court against six pilots. In a suit filed in the Bombay High Court, Akasa Air has claimed up to Rs 22 crore from the accused pilots for training expenses and expenses incurred for loss of operations and reputation.
The DGCA in 2017 mandated a minimum notice period of six months for pilots to ensure that mass exits do not harm the airlines. Airlines have formulated their own policies as per the DGCA 2017 rules.
However, pilot unions have challenged the DGCA’s notice period rule. The Delhi High Court is yet to take a final decision on this. An interim order in 2018 directing the DGCA not to take any enforcement action remains in force.The interim directive is subject to airlines and pilots complying with their respective contractual conditions
During Monday’s hearing, DGCA lawyer Anjana Gosain noted that the 2017 regulations had been challenged by the pilots’ union and urged the court to request documents related to the subject. Alkasa Air did not respond to inquiries about the writ petition on Monday.
“We are only seeking legal redress against a small number of pilots who have abandoned their duties and left without fulfilling their mandatory contractual notice periods. This is not only a breach of contract but also a breach of national civil aviation regulations. Not only is this illegal in law, it is “It was an unethical and selfish act that disrupted flights in August, forced last-minute flight cancellations, stranded thousands of passengers, and caused great inconvenience to the traveling public,” Akasaka Air said on Saturday. stated in a statement.
The pilot accused the airline of irregularities. A former pilot said Alkasa reduced their pay and flying allowances, a claim the airline denied.
Pilots also complain of bias and say only those close to management get upgrades and promotions. Pilots are also unhappy with the airline for not establishing bases in Delhi and Mumbai sooner. “The flight schedule is also tiring. All early and late patterns,” complained a former Alcazar Air pilot.
