Co-Founder Praveen Iyer Exits, Anand Srinivasan Steps In as CCO, ETTravelWorld

Akasa Air on Thursday announced that Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer Praveen Iyer will move on from the airline after a five-year journey, marking a significant leadership transition as the carrier enters its next phase of growth .

Iyer will work closely with the leadership team to ensure a structured transition through April 30, 2026, the airline said in an organisational announcement issued from Mumbai .

Founder and Chief Executive Officer Vinay Dube credited Iyer with shaping the airline’s commercial vision and building a resilient commercial organisation during its formative years . He said Iyer had played a pivotal role in establishing partnerships and frameworks that continue to support Akasa’s network expansion and revenue strategy.

In a key leadership move, Akasa Air announced that Co-Founder and Chief Information Officer Anand Srinivasan will take over as Chief Commercial Officer .

Dube said the airline was fortunate to have deep leadership talent within the organisation, highlighting Srinivasan’s expertise in commercial and revenue algorithms, including the development of the airline’s revenue management platform . He added that Srinivasan’s ability to combine commercial strategy with a technology-first mindset would be crucial as the airline scales operations and navigates increasing complexity.

Srinivasan, who brings over 25 years of experience across commercial and aviation technology domains in India and international markets, said he would build on the commercial foundation already in place while working closely with teams and partners to deliver sustained growth and stronger customer value . He also emphasised the role of industry-first technology solutions built since inception in supporting Akasa’s growth trajectory.

Under Srinivasan’s leadership, the airline’s technology team has developed scalable and secure platforms across revenue systems, operational technology, digital products, data and analytics.

Akasa said it has initiated a search for a new Chief Information Officer to further strengthen its technology function . As part of the interim arrangement, the IT function will report to Chief Financial Officer Ankur Goel .

Iyer’s departure comes less than six months after another senior leadership exit at the airline. In October last year, Neelu Khatri, who headed international operations, stepped down from her role. With Iyer’s exit, this marks the second high-level leadership departure within a relatively short span, as the airline continues to scale operations and refine its organisational structure.

Reflecting on his journey, Iyer described building Akasa Air as a defining and deeply fulfilling experience, expressing confidence in the airline’s positioning for its next growth phase .

Akasa Air, which commenced operations in August 2022, has served over 24 million passengers and currently operates a fleet of 33 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, with a firm order for 226 aircraft as part of its long-term expansion strategy .

The airline currently commands around 5 per cent market share in India’s domestic aviation sector, positioning it as a growing player in an intensely competitive market.