Akasa Air CCO and co-founder Praveen Iyer resigns. Photos: X.
Praveen Iyer, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Akasa Air, has stepped down from his position. This is the second high-profile exit at the airline in less than three years of its operations. Iyer was also a member of the company’s executive committee.
Alask Air has recently resumed expansion after facing operational challenges linked to aircraft delivery delays.
In an official statement, Akasa Air Founder and Chief Executive Officer Vinay Dube credited Praveen Iyer with playing a pivotal role in building the airline’s foundation.
“Praveen has been instrumental in shaping not just Akasa’s commercial vision but the airline itself…,” Dube said. “We are grateful for his leadership, clarity of thought, and long-term perspective during the formative years of the airline.”
The airline further stated that the Chief Commercial Officer will work closely with the leadership team to ensure a smooth and structured transition through April 30, 2026.
Following the resignation of Praveen Iyer at Akasa Air, Anand Srinivasan – another co-founder and the airline’s Chief Information Officer (CIO) – has been appointed as the new Chief Commercial Officer.
With Srinivasan moving into the commercial role, Akasa Air has initiated the search for a new CIO. Until a replacement is appointed, the IT function will report to Chief Financial Officer Ankur Goel.
Praising Srinivasan’s appointment, Dube said, “Anand has been one of the early architects of Akasa… His ability to combine commercial strategy with a tech-first mindset is extremely exciting as we enter our next phase of growth and complexity.”
Akasa Air is backed by the late Rakesh Jhunjhunwala’s family. It raised fresh capital in August 2025 from the family offices of Wipro founder Azim Premji and Ranjan Pai.
The leadership change follows closely after an Akasa Air spokesperson confirmed to Reuters that GST officers had visited the airline’s offices as part of a “business verification process.”
Iyer’s resignation also comes on the heels of several senior-level exits at the airline.
Last year, Neelu Khatri, Co-Founder and Senior Vice President – International Operations, stepped down to pursue a new professional direction. Khatri had been instrumental in establishing Akasa’s international business and was among the founding members of the airline.
In recent months, additional senior executives have also left the company, including:
Rishabh Dev, Head of Long-Term Operations, Strategy, Excellence and Planning
Amol Mane, Vice-President of Aircraft Acquisition and Leasing
Vineet Mishra, Deputy General Manager – Catering
The series of departures signals a notable shift in Akasa Air’s founding leadership team as the airline transitions into its next phase of growth.
Praveen Iyer is one of the co-founders of Akasa Air, a made-in-India budget airline that recently commenced operations in the country.
As Chief Commercial Officer, he was responsible for overseeing the airline’s commercial strategy and was also a member of the executive committee.
A business leader with over two decades of experience, Iyer was previously associated with Jet Airways and Qatar Airways. According to the airline’s website, he has held several leadership roles spanning global operations in fast-paced, consumer-focused businesses.
Having worked both in India and overseas, Iyer has driven revenue growth while contributing to improved profitability and margins.
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
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