Akasa Air Co-founder Neelu Khatri Resigns Weeks After ₹1,200 Crore Fundraise

In a significant leadership development at Akasa Air, co-founder Neelu Khatri has resigned from the airline, marking the first high-profile exit since the company’s inception in 2022. Khatri, who served as Senior Vice President of International Operations, stepped down shortly after Akasa secured a major ₹1,200 crore funding round to support its next phase of expansion.

The airline confirmed her departure in an official statement, citing that Khatri has chosen to “pursue a new professional direction.” While Akasa has not yet announced her replacement, the exit is seen as part of the evolving leadership dynamics as the young airline consolidates its position in India’s competitive aviation sector.

According to filings from March 2024, Khatri held less than 1% equity in SNV Aviation Pvt. Ltd, the holding company of Akasa Air. The status of her stake following her resignation remains undisclosed.

Her resignation follows Akasa’s successful fundraising drive led by Premji Invest, Claypond Capital, 360 ONE, and the Jhunjhunwala family, among others. The funds are aimed at financing the airline’s aggressive expansion plans, including scaling its fleet to 226 aircraft by 2032 and expanding operations into Southeast Asia.

Despite the leadership change, Akasa Air assured that its international operations and strategic plans remain on track. The airline currently operates 30 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft across 24 domestic and six international destinations, steadily increasing its market presence.

Before co-founding Akasa, Neelu Khatri had a distinguished career spanning over 25 years in aviation and aerospace, including senior roles at Honeywell Aerospace India and service in the Indian Air Force. Her exit, industry observers note, comes at a crucial juncture as Akasa navigates rapid growth, regulatory challenges, and increasing competition in the Indian aviation market.