The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India's aviation safety regulator, has suspended the approval of a senior Akasa Air pilot from serving as a designated examiner (DE) due to procedural lapses. The suspension, effective from July 29, 2025, will last for six months.

Designated examiners are authorized by the DGCA to conduct skill tests and proficiency checks for pilots, ensuring they meet the competency levels required for licensing and ratings. The DGCA's action followed a formal complaint lodged by Akasa Air's Director of Training, Captain Sewak Singh Khosa. The decision was based on a personal hearing and a detailed review of a check session conducted by the designated examiner, Captain Kunal Khajuria.

In addition to the suspension, the DGCA has nullified a skill test of a trainee pilot that was conducted by the designated examiner. The trainee pilot will now be required to undergo a retest, which will be administered by a qualified designated examiner under the observation of a type-rated flight operations inspector. The DGCA has also issued a warning to the senior pilot, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to regulatory compliances and standards in the future.

The DGCA's order referenced an email dated May 26, 2025, from Akasa Air's Director of Training, indicating that the case had been thoroughly examined. The regulator's action highlights its commitment to maintaining flight safety standards and ensuring that all pilots meet the necessary competency levels. This incident is not the first time the DGCA has taken action against Akasa Air for lapses in training. In January 2025, the DGCA relieved an Akasa Air pilot from training duties following an unstable landing incident in Bengaluru in March 2024, where the airline allegedly failed to provide mandatory corrective training to the cockpit crew. In October of the previous year, the DGCA imposed a fine of ₹30 lakh on the airline for conducting practical training for instructors and pilots without the required approvals, exceeding permissible training hours, and appointing examiners not qualified for low visibility flight operations. These past actions, combined with the current suspension, demonstrate the DGCA's continuous oversight and enforcement of safety regulations within Akasa Air and the broader aviation industry.

Akasa Air has not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter.