India – Indian airline Akasa Air is preparing to introduce a revised pilot compensation and rostering structure effective January 1, 2027, including salary increases of up to 20%, expanded leave entitlements and additional scheduling options. The changes, communicated to pilots in late October 2026, come as the airline expands its Boeing 737 MAX fleet and prepares for additional pilot recruitment and training requirements.

The airline will increase minimum protected flying hours to 50 per month under its standard work pattern, providing pilots with a higher guaranteed compensation threshold regardless of actual monthly flying activity. Fixed salaries and hourly flying payments will also be revised upwards.
Minimum annual leave entitlements will increase to 42 days, with additional leave available under selected lifestyle work patterns. Pilots will be offered scheduling options including 25/9 and 6-2-6-3 arrangements, providing different combinations of working days and guaranteed time off.
The revised structure also provides for advance publication of rostered days off, with the reported arrangements allowing pilots to plan leave and personal commitments up to one year ahead. The airline is seeking to provide additional flexibility for pilots who wish to accumulate flying experience towards future command upgrades.
Existing loyalty rewards and the previously announced Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) will continue separately from the revised compensation structure. Akasa introduced a further LTIP arrangement in March 2026, covering eligible captains, trainee captains and senior first officers.
Akasa Air operated 45 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and employed more than 800 pilots as of late October 2026. The airline is planning additional pilot bases in Kochi and Kolkata, complementing its existing primary bases in Mumbai and Bengaluru. Further expansion around Delhi and Noida has also been indicated.
In August 2026, Akasa Air CEO Vinay Dube outlined plans to recruit more than 500 pilots over the following two to three years through its cadet training program and recruitment of Commercial Pilot Licence holders, alongside plans to induct more than 12 aircraft annually.
AFM previously reported that Akasa Air was preparing to restart pilot recruitment in 2026 following an earlier slowdown in Boeing aircraft deliveries. The latest compensation changes accompany the carrier's renewed fleet growth and its longer-term requirement for Boeing 737 MAX flight crew.

About Akasa Air
Akasa Air is an Indian airline headquartered in Mumbai, which commenced commercial operations in August 2022 and provides domestic and international passenger services using Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The airline has placed firm orders for 226 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, supporting its long-term fleet development and pilot workforce requirements.

Source: Local media

Indian Airline to Raise Pilot Salaries by Up to 20% and Expand Annual Leave

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