Akasa Air Co-Founder Praveen Iyer Resigns Amid Leadership Changes
Akasa Air is witnessing another senior-level exit with co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer Praveen Iyer stepping down from his role. His departure marks the second major leadership change at the airline in recent months, raising attention in India’s fast-growing aviation sector.
Iyer has been part of Akasa Air’s journey since its launch in August 2022. As Chief Commercial Officer, he played a key role in shaping the airline’s commercial strategy — from route planning and pricing to sales and revenue growth. During his tenure, Akasa rapidly expanded its domestic network and began building its international presence.
Following his resignation, the airline has appointed Anand Srinivasan, currently Chief Information Officer, to lead the commercial function. The company has not publicly shared reasons for Iyer’s exit.
This leadership transition comes after another co-founder, Neelu Khatri, who oversaw international operations, resigned last year. Despite these exits, Akasa has maintained that its expansion strategy remains firmly on track.
Backed by the family of late investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, Akasa Air has also strengthened its financial position with fresh investments from prominent institutional backers. The airline has been adding new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to its fleet and expanding routes to compete with established players in India’s highly competitive aviation market.
Like many young carriers, Akasa has faced industry challenges, including aircraft delivery delays and rising operational costs. However, it has continued to grow steadily, focusing on efficiency, customer experience and network expansion.
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