Akasa Air will increase pilot salaries by up to 20% and enhance leave entitlements and work-schedule flexibility from January 1, 2027, as the four-year-old airline expands its fleet and adds new routes. The revised compensation structure will include higher fixed salaries and hourly payouts, along with additional benefits aimed at improving pilots’ work-life balance.
The airline will also increase minimum protected flying hours to 50 per month under the standard work pattern. These are the hours for which pilots receive guaranteed pay, even if their actual flying hours are lower.
Akasa Air Revises Pilot Salary and Leave Structure
Under the revised policy, pilots will receive a minimum of 42 days of annual leave, with the possibility of additional leave depending on their selected work pattern. The airline will introduce more scheduling options, including a 25/9 arrangement, which provides 25 working days and nine guaranteed days off in a month.
Another option, the 6-2-6-3-6 pattern, involves six days of work followed by two days off, another six working days followed by three days off, and a further six-day work period.
In addition to the revised compensation, pilots will remain eligible for loyalty rewards and the previously announced Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP). The changes were communicated to pilots by Captain Sanket Limaye, Akasa Air’s Director of Flight Operations, during an internal meeting on October 28. The airline had not issued an official comment at the time of reporting.
Fleet Expansion and New Pilot Bases
Akasa Air currently operates 45 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and has more than 800 pilots. The airline is expanding its operations as it adds aircraft and increases the number of routes it serves.
The carrier is also planning to establish pilot bases in Kochi and Kolkata, adding to its existing bases in Bengaluru and Mumbai. The new bases are expected to support its operational expansion and provide greater flexibility in deploying pilots across its network.
Pilot Fatigue and Work-Life Balance in Focus
The changes come amid continuing discussions across India’s aviation sector about pilot fatigue, staffing requirements and Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL).
Revised FDTL norms include increased weekly rest requirements and restrictions on night operations. These rules are intended to address fatigue-related risks but can also increase airlines’ staffing needs.
By raising salaries, guaranteeing more monthly flying hours and offering additional leave and scheduling choices, Akasa Air is seeking to improve pilot retention and working conditions as its operations grow. The revised structure will take effect in January 2027.
