Delivery Delays Force Akasa Air to Ground Pilots

Pilots Grounded as Deliveries Lag at Akasa Air

Akasa Air has had to ground some pilots due to ongoing delays in aircraft deliveries. As of March 31, 2025, the low-cost carrier had recruited enough cockpit crew to operate 42 aircraft but will finish the financial year with only 26, resulting in hundreds of surplus personnel.

According to sources, 400 of Akasa’s approximately 850 pilots have not yet started flying for the airline. The airline reported that around 60% of its pilots have begun accumulating flying hours, and the majority are expected to be in the air by the end of the year. Meanwhile, the grounded pilots are receiving about 50% of their base pay.

Launched in December 2021, Akasa’s business plan aimed to grow its fleet to seventy-two B737-8s after five years of operations. Currently, the airline operates twenty-three of these aircraft and three B737-8-200s. It has placed orders for 101 B737-8-200s and ninety-nine B737-10s.

In 2024, Akasa Air received only three new aircraft. A recent report from ch-aviation indicated that Boeing has advised the airline not to expect any further deliveries until the end of this quarter. Akasa anticipates receiving five aircraft in the second quarter of 2025, but it will still end the financial year on March 31 with 15 fewer aircraft than originally planned.

A Boeing spokesperson stated that they are continuing to work with customers to determine the timing of their deliveries.