NEW DELHI: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (D.G.C.A) the Delhi High Court has said that it has no power or authority to interfere in the ongoing feud between pilots Akasa Airwhich has taken action against the pilots who resigned without completing the notice period.
The airline has accused the DGCA of being “unwilling to take any action” and told the court it is facing “significant financial and operational challenges”.
In its response, DGCA said it would be in the interest of the parties that the petitioner airline, Akasa Air, complies with the aviation regulator’s mandate to maintain a reduced schedule if it does not have the necessary number of pilots to be able to carry out the flight activities. The civil aviation regulator responded to a plea from the fledgling airline that it is in a state of crisis following the sudden and abrupt resignation of 43 pilots, who left the airline without completing the mandatory notice period.
Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora had reserved his order on the airline’s plea on September 19 and asked the parties to file their written submissions. The airline and its CEO Vinay Dube approached the Supreme Court on September 14 with their petition, asking the DGCA to take coercive action against these pilots for their “irresponsible acts”.
But the regulator insisted it has no power or delegated authority to interfere with employment contracts and decisions relating to airport operators, airlines or other stakeholders. “The DGCA cannot interfere with the employment contract between the airline and the pilots, which itself contains a mechanism for termination of pilots…,” the regulator said.
As for the airline’s claim that around 600 flights have been canceled since June due to pilot dismissals, the regulator categorically denied that the company had provided any documents or reasons for this. It added that according to data provided by Akasa Air, 1.2% of flights were canceled in August 2023.
The regulator said that in case of major cancellations due to any reason such as dismissal of a pilot, DGCA will ensure that passengers experience minimum inconvenience and adequate protection is provided to the air travelers in case of flight disruption.
The airline in its plea said it has failed to find any remedy to protect itself and the public against “reckless and irresponsible” actions of certain pilots and added that it was deeply aggrieved by the “heartless” conduct of the pilots .
The airline has accused the DGCA of being “unwilling to take any action” and told the court it is facing “significant financial and operational challenges”.
In its response, DGCA said it would be in the interest of the parties that the petitioner airline, Akasa Air, complies with the aviation regulator’s mandate to maintain a reduced schedule if it does not have the necessary number of pilots to be able to carry out the flight activities. The civil aviation regulator responded to a plea from the fledgling airline that it is in a state of crisis following the sudden and abrupt resignation of 43 pilots, who left the airline without completing the mandatory notice period.
Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora had reserved his order on the airline’s plea on September 19 and asked the parties to file their written submissions. The airline and its CEO Vinay Dube approached the Supreme Court on September 14 with their petition, asking the DGCA to take coercive action against these pilots for their “irresponsible acts”.
But the regulator insisted it has no power or delegated authority to interfere with employment contracts and decisions relating to airport operators, airlines or other stakeholders. “The DGCA cannot interfere with the employment contract between the airline and the pilots, which itself contains a mechanism for termination of pilots…,” the regulator said.
As for the airline’s claim that around 600 flights have been canceled since June due to pilot dismissals, the regulator categorically denied that the company had provided any documents or reasons for this. It added that according to data provided by Akasa Air, 1.2% of flights were canceled in August 2023.
The regulator said that in case of major cancellations due to any reason such as dismissal of a pilot, DGCA will ensure that passengers experience minimum inconvenience and adequate protection is provided to the air travelers in case of flight disruption.
The airline in its plea said it has failed to find any remedy to protect itself and the public against “reckless and irresponsible” actions of certain pilots and added that it was deeply aggrieved by the “heartless” conduct of the pilots .
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