MUMBAI- Akasa Air (QP) is a low-cost Indian airline headquartered in Mumbai and operating out of its operating bases of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, and Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport. The carrier is currently one of India’s youngest operators and will complete only two and half years since its inaugural flight in February 2025.
Akasa has a fleet of only 26 aircraft although 200 more are on order as part of its ambitious growth strategies. Currently, QP serves 26 destinations – 20 in India and five overseas – and recruits 870 pilots with vacancies anticipated for roughly 300 more in the near future. With that said, here is a look at how much they are paid and what other benefits they enjoy.
Compound Photo: Akasa Air, Aneesh Bapaye, and Aviation A2ZAkasa Air Pilot Salary
FIRST OFFICER
Akasa Air’s first officers hold the most junior ranking among their cockpit crew. They are fresh graduates out of flying schools and as a result, are paid the least amount of money commensurate with their lack of experience. Akasa’s first officers are paid INR 2,60,000 per month or INR 31,20,000 per year (approx. US$3000/US$36,000).
They are provided a minimum guarantee of 70 flying hours and receive INR 3,045 per flying hour (approx. US$35).
They are rostered by the airline’s senior captains, who oversee their mentoring and transition from first officer roles to senior first officer roles as they build up on flying hours and gain experience.
SENIOR FIRST OFFICER
Senior first officers are one level below the trainee captains and a level above first officers. Their main duties are to assist a captain in the communication as well as navigation of a flight, while also opining on the decision-making during the critical phases of the journey. They are paid a salary of INR 3,40,000 per month or INR 40,80,000 per year (approx. US$4,000/US$48,000).
As with other pilots at Akasa, their minimum monthly guarantee also stands at 70 hours and the rate per flying hour is INR 4,515 (approx. US$53).
As they build experience and gain even more flying hours, SFOs transition to trainee captains.
TRAINEE CAPTAINS
The most senior first officers spend a few hours in the cockpit as trainee captains. Under this setup, Akasa Air’s senior pilots mentor them and shadow their flying, until the trainees have adequate experience and flying hours to independently captain an aircraft. Trainee salaries stand at INR 4,30,000 per month or INR 51,60,000 per year (approx. US$5,000/US$60,000).
Trainee captains are paid INR 5,000 for each flying hour (approx. US$58) and receive a minimum guarantee of 70 hours each month.
Photo: Akasa AirCAPTAINS
The captains are one level below the airline’s senior captains at Akasa Air. Their duties revolve around safely flying the airplane from point A to point B, while adequately managing the co-pilot and cabin crew. They are paid a monthly salary of INR 5,50,000 and an annual wage of INR 66,00,000 (approx. US$6,400/US$76,800).
They are guaranteed a minimum of 70 flying hours and receive INR 7,500 for each hour (approx. US$87). If the limit of 70 hours is exceeded within a month, the hourly allowance rises to INR 10,000 (approx. US$117).
SENIOR CAPTAINS
The senior captains are the highest tier of cockpit crew associated with Akasa Air. They are the airline’s most experienced set of captains and besides performing their core duties, they also mentor first officers and trainee captains to take the next steps in their careers. Senior captains are paid INR 6,25,000 monthly or INR 75,00,000 per year (approx US$7,275/US$87,300).
As with every other pilot at Akasa Air, senior captains receive a minimum monthly guarantee of 70 flying hours and are paid a rate of INR 7,500 per hour (approx. US$87). If senior captains exceed 70 hours in a month, each additional hour is compensated with INR 11,000 (approx. US$128).
Image courtesy of Akasa Air Benefits to Akasa Air Pilots
Akasa Air is one of India’s youngest brands and offers its pilots with some world-class benefits. Some of those are as below.
- DEADHEAD ALLOWANCE – A deadhead allowance is paid to pilots who are being repositioned by the airline from one city to another for flying purposes. For captains, this stands at INR 3,000 per hour (approx. US$35) and in the case of first officers, this figure is INR 1,500 per hour (approx. US$17.50).
- LAYOVER ALLOWANCE – Apart from accommodation in all-inclusive five-star hotels at their destinations, pilots are provided additional cash as a layover allowance. This amount is INR 2,000 per hour in the case of captains (approx. US$24) while first officers are paid INR 1,500 for each layover hour (approx. US$17.50).
- EMPLOYEE LEISURE TRAVEL – The pilots as well as up to six family members are eligible for unlimited and free leisure travel on the entire Akasa Air network. Whether codeshare flights with Etihad Airways are included is unknown. This benefit, however, entitles live-in partners as well as LGBTQ partners to free travel as well.
- MEDICAL INSURANCE – Medical insurance is provided to every employee and covers the costs of consultations, treatment, and medicines at their home base as well as while they are on their travels. This is a common benefit across all airlines in the world but remains a crucial aspect nonetheless as medical costs can be extremely high for pilots or airlines to incur.
- PAID LEAVES – Akasa Air pilots receive a handsome amount of paid leave in a calendar year following the successful completion of their probation period. There are also several sick leaves and public holidays available. If a pilot is flying on public holidays, their hourly allowance is doubled and a compensatory day off is made available.
- PARENTAL LEAVE – Every Akasa Air pilot is entitled to paid parental leave. For males, this is limited to five days, and for females, this runs for 26 weeks. There is also a creche facility at Mumbai and Bengaluru airports which the aviators can make use of.
- BONUS SCHEME – The airline has a bonus scheme that results in a one-off payment during the year subject to an individual’s as well as the airline’s performance. There are also great promotion prospects within the airline for all employees.
Akasa Air 25th Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 Aircraft | Photo: Akasa AirWhat aircraft they fly?
Akasa Air’s fleet is entirely dominated by Boeing 737 MAX airplanes and at present, consists of the following aircraft.
- Boeing 737 MAX 8 – 23
- Boeing 737 MAX 200 – 3
Besides an existing fleet of 26 planes, the airline has the following aircraft on order.
- Boeing 737 MAX 10 – 99
- Boeing 737 MAX 200 – 101
Photo: Akasa AirAkasa Air’s Hiring Process
Unlike several airlines in India, Akasa Air has a training facility in Gurgaon in association with the CAE and mentors pilots who are not trained explicitly to fly the Boeing 737 MAX. Having said that, QP follows the below hiring process for pilots.
- APPLICATION – Akasa Air accepts online applications for individuals wishing to become pilots with the carrier. At this point in time, the airline does not have any walk-in or in-person hiring drives planned for cockpit crew.
- ONLINE INTERVIEW – An online interview is conducted between the candidate and the HR team to understand the former’s profile better and assess their suitability as well as experience in line with the airline’s present requirements.
- TESTS – A drug and psychometric test is conducted to ensure that the pilot meets the requirements set by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Thereafter, a simulator test is held to ascertain the technical proficiency of the candidate.
- OFFER – After a final virtual session with the Pilot Recruitment Team, an offer is made to the individual commensurate with their expectations and experience. If a pilot is not type-rated on the Boeing 737 MAX, he is assigned a training program.
Photo: Sandeep Pilania Akasa Air Pilot FAQs
Akasa Air pilots are paid between INR 31,20,000 and INR 75,00,000 depending on their experience and seniority within the airline. Senior pilots can earn close to INR 1,00,00,000 per year depending on their flying hours. Additionally, a bonus scheme is present too.
Akasa Air presently operates out of its bases in Mumbai and Bengaluru. Therefore, the pilots are required to be living in these two cities.
Akasa presently has 26 aircraft in its fleet and flies to 25 destinations (20 domestic, five international) although expansion plans are on the cards for the carrier.
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