India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a show cause notice to Akasa Air (QP, Mumbai International) after a surprise audit in May uncovered several regulatory lapses.

The audit found Akasa had operated flights without a route guide and conducted training sessions without the necessary regulatory approvals, breaching Civil Aviation Regulations 7/I/VII and 7/I/I and Rule 140C of The Aircraft Rules (1937). The show cause notice, issued on August 29, requires Akasa to explain the breaches within seven days.

“Safety is of utmost importance and we continuously strive to pursue the highest standards of safety,” an Akasa Air statement on the matter reads, adding that it will respond within the time period.

Akasa Air launched its first domestic revenue flights in August 2022 and started international flights in March 2024. According to ch-aviation fleets data, it operates twenty-three B737-8s and one B737-8-200 to twenty-seven airports across India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait. To date, Akasa claims to have flown over 11 million passengers and enjoys a 4.5% domestic market share.

ch-aviation has contacted Akasa Air for comment.