Chief executives of Air India, Akasa joust over poaching of pilots
© Reuters. A miniature airplane is placed on the displayed Air India Express and Akasa Air logos, in this illustration taken October 30, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
The rare verbal and written confrontations between the airlines' chief executives were detailed in the letter, sent by Campbell Wilson of Air India, which is owned by the Tata Group conglomerate, to Vinay Dube of low-cost airline Akasa. Wilson told his counterpart the government rules were"not currently enforceable", adding that Akasa itself had"previously engaged in the same actions" by poaching pilots from Tata Group's budget carrier, Air India Express, and other airlines.
In recent weeks, Akasa has lost about a tenth of its 450 pilots, who left without serving out notice periods, some to join Air India Express. "I regret that you interpreted my courtesy of taking your call and listening to your request as assent," he added.