Akasa, the thirteen-month-old Indian airline, has initiated legal proceedings against more than 40 pilots who recently resigned to join rival airlines. This significant departure of experienced pilots has led to disruptions in Akasa’s flight schedule, resulting in multiple flight cancellations in the past month. Consequently, the airline’s domestic market share for August 2023 fell behind that of SpiceJet, a carrier facing financial challenges, which Akasa had surpassed in June.
Akasa is reportedly seeking approximately ₹22 crore in compensation from the 43 pilots who allegedly left the company without fulfilling the mandatory notice period. The airline has cited a breach of training agreements and specified the adverse impact on its operational profits due to the disruption caused by flight cancellations, rescheduling, and grounding.
In addition to pursuing legal action, Akasa has communicated its concerns to aviation authorities. Despite the legal recourse, the matter raises questions about the enforceability of a six-month notice period for pilots, with senior pilots from various airlines advocating for a more ethical approach to hiring practices.
Furthermore, the airline industry has seen instances where financially strained carriers have used the six-month notice period to retain pilots even when they have been unable to pay their salaries on time. While some have called for the removal of the notice period clause altogether, others argue that industry discipline must improve before such a step is taken.
In conclusion, the aviation sector faces cyclical challenges, with periods of airline collapses leading to job searches for employees, followed by phases of aggressive recruitment and “poaching.” As India’s aviation industry moves towards a more structured landscape with dominant players like Tata airlines and IndiGo, along with emerging carriers, it is hoped that hiring practices will evolve, similar to the recent pricing discipline observed in the industry.
