# Akasa Air to Lift Pilot Salaries by Up to 20% and Annual Leave to 42 Days

> Akasa Air will raise pilot salaries by up to 20% and annual leave to 42 days from January 1, 2027, with minimum protected flying hours set at 50 a month.

- Published: 2026-10-28T15:44:19+00:00
- Section: Business
- Author: News Desk
- URL: https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-10-28/akasa-air-pilot-salary-hike-leave
- Source: [NDTV Profit](https://www.ndtvprofit.com/business/akasa-air-to-hike-pilot-salaries-by-up-to-20-increase-annual-leave-entitlements-12249923)

## Key takeaways

- Akasa Air will increase fixed salaries and hourly payouts for pilots by up to 20%, effective January 1, 2027.
- The airline will raise minimum protected flying hours to 50 a month and minimum annual leave to 42 days.
- Akasa Air operates 45 Boeing 737 MAX planes and employs more than 800 pilots.

Akasa Air will raise pilot salaries by up to 20% and increase annual leave entitlements to 42 days, effective January 1, 2027, [NDTV Profit](https://www.ndtvprofit.com/business/akasa-air-to-hike-pilot-salaries-by-up-to-20-increase-annual-leave-entitlements-12249923) reported, citing sources. The airline will also raise minimum protected flying hours to 50 a month. Akasa Air has 45 Boeing 737 MAX planes and more than 800 pilots.

## What Changes for Akasa Air Pilots

Fixed salaries and hourly payouts for pilots will both increase, with the salary hikes reaching up to 20%, according to the sources cited by NDTV Profit. The minimum protected hours of flying in a month will rise to 50 for the standard work pattern, and pilots will be given more choices in work patterns. Minimum protected flying hours generally refer to the guaranteed pay a pilot receives for the stipulated hours in a month.

Akasa Air has also decided to raise minimum annual leave entitlements to 42 days, and the number could increase depending on the flexi-choices opted by the pilots concerned. Pilots will be offered the options of '25/9' and '6-2-6-3' work patterns, the sources said. The revisions in salary structure and leave entitlements take effect from January 1, 2027.

The four-year-old airline is making the changes as it starts operating more aircraft and routes, according to the sources. Akasa Air's [own site](https://www.akasaair.com) lists its network and fleet.

## Akasa Air's Expansion Before the Pay Revision

Akasa Air inducted its 45th Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 at Bangalore airport on Tuesday, BusinessLine reported, and has taken delivery of 14 planes this year after receiving its 40th aircraft in July. Commercial operations began in August 2022.

The airline raised ₹450 crore from existing investors through compulsory convertible preference shares, approved at an extraordinary general meeting on September 30, BusinessLine reported. Akasa Air's net loss widened 37% to ₹2,716 crore in FY26.

Akasa Air overtook SpiceJet to become the third-largest domestic operator in India, holding a 17% share on 66 routes and over 13% on Mumbai-Delhi, Business Standard reported. The airline had a 43-aircraft fleet at the time.

## When the Akasa Air Changes Take Effect

The revised salary structure and leave entitlements apply from January 1, 2027, the date given for the changes.

## Companies in this story

- Akasa Air · website: https://www.akasaair.com

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