DGCA: ‘Will not interfere in the employment agreement between pilots and Akasa Air’, DGCA said this

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has told the Delhi High Court that the regulator cannot interfere in the employment agreement between pilots and ‘Akasa Air’. Akasa Air has demanded action against pilots who resigned without completing the notice period.

The DGCA said that it would be in the interest of the parties concerned that the petitioner company ‘Akasa Air’ comply with the DGCA’s order to maintain limited operations in case the required number of pilots is not available to maintain flight operations.

DGCA filed its written arguments in response to a petition by new aviation company ‘Akasa Air’. Akasa Air’s petition states that the company is in a state of crisis due to the sudden resignation of 43 pilots without completing the mandatory notice period.

Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora had reserved his order on the company’s plea on September 19 and asked the parties to file their written arguments.

The company and its CEO Vinay Dubey had filed a petition in the High Court on September 14, requesting it to direct the DGCA to take punitive action against these pilots for “irresponsible actions”.

DGCA in its reply clarified that it has no power or authority to interfere in any employment contracts and decisions in respect of airport operators, airline operators or any other stakeholders.

DGCA urged the court to dismiss Akasa Air’s plea by imposing fine and said, “DGCA cannot interfere in the employment agreement between the airline and the pilot, which involves the issue of termination of pilots….”