NEW DELHI (February 12, 2026) – Akasa Air has announced that its Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), Praveen Iyer, is stepping down from his role. The airline confirmed that while Iyer has officially resigned, he will remain with the company through April 30, 2026, to ensure a “smooth and structured transition.”
Iyer, a veteran with over 25 years of experience in aviation, was a core member of the founding team that launched the airline in August 2022. His departure marks the second high-level exit for the carrier in four months, following the resignation of fellow co-founder Neelu Khatri in late 2025.
Leadership Transition
In a swift move to maintain stability, Akasa Air has appointed Anand Srinivasan, another Co-Founder and the current Chief Information Officer (CIO), as the new Chief Commercial Officer.
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Incoming CCO: Anand Srinivasan (Effective May 1, 2026)
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Reporting Change: The IT function will now report to CFO Ankur Goel as the search for a new CIO begins.
CEO’s Reflection
Founder and CEO Vinay Dube praised Iyer’s contributions, stating:
“Praveen has been instrumental in shaping not only Akasa’s commercial vision but the airline itself, translating ambition into sustained growth. We are grateful for his leadership, clarity of thought, and long-term perspective during our formative years.”
Current Standing
Despite the leadership churn, Akasa Air remains on an aggressive expansion path. The airline currently operates a fleet of 33 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft across 32 destinations and aims to increase its fleet to 45 by the end of 2026.
