Akasa Air will increase pilot salaries by up to 20%, raise guaranteed monthly flying hours to 50 and expand annual leave entitlements as the four-year-old airline grows its fleet and route network.
The revised salary structure and leave benefits will take effect from January 1, 2027, according to sources.
The airline currently operates a fleet of 45 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and employs more than 800 pilots. The proposed changes include increases in fixed salaries and hourly payments, alongside additional work-pattern options intended to improve work-life balance.
Higher Pay and Guaranteed Flying Hours
Under the revised structure, pilots will receive salary increases of up to 20%. The minimum protected flying hours will also rise to 50 per month under the standard work pattern.
Minimum protected flying hours refer to the number of hours for which pilots receive guaranteed pay each month, even if their actual flying hours are lower.
The airline will introduce additional work-pattern choices, allowing pilots greater flexibility in managing their professional and personal commitments.
Annual Leave and Flexible Work Patterns
Akasa Air will increase minimum annual leave entitlements to 42 days. The total leave available may be higher depending on the flexible work pattern selected by individual pilots.
The proposed options include the ’25/9′ and ‘6-2-6-3′ schedules. Under the ’25/9’ pattern, pilots work for 25 days and receive nine guaranteed days off in a month.
The ‘6-2-6-3’ pattern comprises six working days followed by two days off, then another six working days followed by three days off.
In addition to the revised compensation, pilots will be eligible for loyalty rewards and the previously announced Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP).
The revisions were communicated to pilots by Captain Sanket Limaye, Akasa Air’s Director of Flight Operations, during an internal meeting. The airline did not issue a comment on the changes.
Expansion Plans and Pilot Fatigue Concerns
The changes come amid continuing discussions across the aviation industry about Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) and concerns over pilot fatigue.
Akasa Air is also planning to establish pilot bases in Cochin and Kolkata as it expands its fleet and introduces additional routes. Its existing primary bases are in Bengaluru and Mumbai.
The airline commenced commercial operations in August 2022. The planned changes to compensation, leave and work schedules are expected to support its expansion while offering pilots greater flexibility and improved work-life balance.
