Winning Bizness Desk

Mumbai. Akasa Air Co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer Praveen Iyer has resigned from his post and will formally step down on April 30, 2026. The airline said Iyer will continue in his role until then to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities to the new leadership. The company has appointed Anand Srinivasan as the new Chief Commercial Officer, marking a key change in the top management at a time when the airline is expanding its domestic and international footprint.

Second high-profile exit in six months

Iyer’s resignation is the second major leadership exit at Akasa Air in the past six months. In October 2025, Neelu Khatri, Co-founder and Head of International Operations, had also stepped down from her position. The back-to-back exits come as the airline moves into its next growth phase.

Key points around the leadership changes:

• Praveen Iyer was part of the airline’s core founding team.
• He played a central role in shaping Akasa’s commercial strategy.
• He was also a member of the airline’s Executive Committee.
• He brings over 20 years of experience in the aviation sector.

Before joining Akasa, Iyer held senior roles at Jet Airways and Qatar Airways, giving him extensive exposure to global aviation markets and commercial planning.

Anand Srinivasan to lead commercial team

Following Iyer’s departure, Anand Srinivasan will take charge of the airline’s commercial division. Srinivasan is currently serving as the Chief Information Officer at Akasa Air and has been associated with the airline since its early days.

Chief Executive Officer Vinay Dube said Srinivasan has been an integral part of the founding team and understands the company’s long-term vision. According to Dube, Srinivasan’s combined experience in technology and commercial strategy positions him well to steer the airline through its next stage of growth.

After Srinivasan’s elevation as CCO:

• The Information Technology function will now report to Chief Financial Officer Ankur Goel.
• The leadership structure is being realigned to support expansion plans.
• The commercial and technology functions are expected to work in closer coordination.

CEO praises Iyer’s foundational role

In an official statement, the airline said Iyer decided to step down to begin a new chapter in his personal life. CEO Vinay Dube acknowledged Iyer’s contribution, saying he not only built Akasa’s commercial vision but also helped lay the foundation of the airline in its formative years.

Dube said the company remains grateful for Iyer’s leadership and clarity of vision during the critical initial phase of operations.

Responding to his resignation, Praveen Iyer described his journey at Akasa Air as deeply fulfilling. He said he was proud of what the team had achieved in a short span of time and expressed confidence that the airline is ready for its next phase. He added that he was happy to hand over the reins to an experienced leader like Srinivasan.

Fleet strength and global recognition

Backed by late investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, Akasa Air began operations on August 7, 2022. In less than four years, the airline has built a fleet of 33 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and expanded its network significantly.

At present:

• Akasa connects 26 domestic destinations across India.
• It operates to six international cities.
• It recently secured membership of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

The IATA membership is seen as a milestone that strengthens the airline’s global standing and operational credibility.

Role of the chief commercial officer explained

The Chief Commercial Officer plays a critical role in any airline’s business strategy. The CCO oversees revenue generation, ticket sales, marketing, network planning and revenue management. Decisions related to route selection and airfare pricing are typically driven by the commercial department.

With the leadership transition underway, industry observers will closely track how the new structure shapes Akasa Air’s competitive strategy in an increasingly crowded aviation market.