Akasa Air Hikes Pilot Salaries 20% From January

Akasa Air will increase pilots' salaries by up to 20% from January 1, 2027. The airline is also improving guaranteed flying hours, annual leave, and scheduling flexibility.

The revised compensation structure includes higher fixed salaries and hourly payments. This change is intended to improve pilots' work-life balance and provide greater flexibility in managing professional and personal commitments.

Minimum protected flying hours will increase to 50 hours monthly for pilots following the standard work schedule. Minimum annual leave entitlement will rise to 42 days, with additional leave available under certain scheduling arrangements.

The airline will introduce alternative schedules, including the 25/9 and 6-2-6-3-6 patterns. Akasa Air currently operates 45 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and employs more than 800 pilots.

The compensation changes come amid concerns about pilot fatigue and revised aviation duty regulations. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has extended the deadline for implementing revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms to March 31, 2027.

Akasa's Director of Flight Operations, Captain Sanket Limaye, communicated the proposed changes during an internal meeting. The airline had not issued an official comment when the report was published.

The changes are expected to benefit pilots and improve their overall work experience. The airline plans to establish additional pilot bases in Kochi and Kolkata, supplementing its existing facilities in Bengaluru and Mumbai.