In a notable leadership shift, Neelu Khatri, co-founder and Senior Vice President for International Operations at Akasa Air, has stepped down to pursue fresh professional paths. Her resignation comes during a turbulent period for the airline, as it grapples with delays in aircraft deliveries and mounting operational pressures.
Khatri, a former Wing Commander in the Indian Air Force, was among the founding team behind Akasa Air, which launched its maiden commercial flight in August 2022. She played a pivotal role in building the airline’s international strategy, liaising with regulators, crafting route plans and ensuring compliance across borders. Her departure underscores the internal stresses accompanying rapid expansion in aviation.
The airline has not publicly named a successor. In internal communications, CEO Vinay Dube indicated that her exit was part of a planned leadership transition and that international expansion objectives remain unchanged. Akasa reaffirmed that the decision will not affect its vision or growth momentum abroad.
Akasa’s challenges stem largely from delayed deliveries of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The airline holds a firm order for 226 jets, but only a fraction has been delivered so far—a gap that has disrupted its fleet deployment strategy. Analysts point out that regulatory scrutiny in the U.S., supply chain constraints and Boeing’s internal disruptions have contributed to the delays. The shortfall has caused operational bottlenecks and left many pilots without flying hours.
Internal communications revealed growing disquiet among leadership and crew over capacity constraints. At a pilots’ town hall earlier this year, executives quietly questioned Boeing’s pace, while senior staff acknowledged that Akasa was struggling to unlock flight time for its full roster of pilots. Some of these comments, though unconfirmed, reflect the pressure on the airline’s growth trajectory.
Financial strain compounds the technical challenges. Akasa’s losses have reportedly widened, with sources indicating that the airline may have crossed a ₹2,000 crore deficit in the current fiscal period. The airline has also faced criticism over underutilised workforce and costs associated with maintaining idle assets. To manage pilot idleness, Akasa offered options to transition to support roles without additional pay, an approach that drew internal resistance.
Despite this, investors have continued backing the airline. Last year, Akasa secured funding from a consortium led by Premji Invest, Claypond Capital and capital tied to the late investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala. This infusion was intended to shore up operations and support expansion plans even as delivery lagged.
In response to Khatri’s exit, observers expect the airline will seek to reinforce its management bench, possibly promoting from within or bringing in aviation executives with global experience. The question now is whether the new leadership can steer the airline through delivery constraints while preserving confidence among staff, investors and regulators.
For Khatri, the move may offer a chance to explore opportunities beyond the airline’s fast-paced environment. Her career spans aviation, aerospace consulting and strategy roles. Her decision to depart now, at a high-stakes moment, speaks to the intensity of challenges in scaling an airline amid global supply headwinds.
Akasa Air itself must now navigate a critical phase. It will need to accelerate aircraft deliveries or rework deployment plans, maintain morale across its operational teams and solidify trust across its stakeholder network. With the international push already underway, continuity and clarity in leadership will be essential.
The departure of a cofounder during such an inflection point may appear risky. But it might also be a strategic reset: a chance for Akasa to reinforce its executive structure with fresh perspectives, and for Khatri to pursue new ambitions built on the experience of scaling an airline from the ground up. The aviation industry will be watching closely.
