In a recent interim ruling that offers relief to Akasa Air, the Delhi High Court has affirmed the Directorate General of Civil Aviation's (DGCA) authority to take action against pilots who fail to adhere to civil aviation requirements (CAR).
The court's clarification underscores that there are no constraints on the DGCA's power to act in cases of non-compliance by pilots.
This legal matter arose when budget airline Akasa Air filed a petition. The DGCA had initially asserted that it lacked the jurisdiction to intervene in the employment contracts between pilots and airlines.
Akasa Air had sought measures against pilots who departed from their positions without fulfilling their mandatory contractual notice periods.
The airline's decision to pursue legal action was prompted by more than 40 pilots leaving their roles without serving the required notice periods. This exodus resulted in flight disruptions between July and September, causing last-minute cancellations that inconvenienced passengers.
Earlier on the same day, the Bombay High Court also granted Akasa Air permission to proceed with its lawsuit in Mumbai, where it is seeking contractual damages from pilots who allegedly left the company without adhering to notice period requirements.
Initially, Akasa Air had sought Rs 21 crore in compensation from five pilots for their premature departure from the carrier. However, the pilots, represented by their legal counsel, contested the jurisdiction of the Mumbai court, arguing that they did not reside in Mumbai, and therefore, the lawsuit should not take place there.
Akasa Air had previously informed the Delhi High Court that the airline's operations had been significantly impacted due to the blatant breaches and violations committed by departing pilots in relation to their agreements with the airline. These abrupt resignations compelled the airline to cancel multiple flights in September, leading to considerable disruptions for passengers.
