Hundreds of Akasa Air Pilots are Grounded Due to Boeing 737 MAX Delivery Delays

Akasa Air, one of India’s newest airlines, is facing an unexpected challenge as hundreds of its pilots remain grounded due to severe production delays with Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The airline, which has been aggressively hiring and training pilots since its launch on October 7, 2022, now finds itself with over 400 pilots unable to fly. This unprecedented situation is the result of disrupted aircraft deliveries that have stalled the airline’s ambitious growth plans.

The crisis stems from Akasa Air’s reliance on Boeing’s 737 MAX fleet, which was expected to be delivered on a predictable schedule. Initially, the airline ordered 72 aircraft, later increasing it to 76. At WINGS India 2024, it doubled down on its expansion goals by ordering an additional 150 737 MAX planes.

However, setbacks such as a door blowout on an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 in January 2024 and a machinist strike in September that halted production entirely until December have left Akasa Air with just 26 active aircraft, far short of the fleet size needed to accommodate its growing pilot roster.

Too Many Akasa Air Pilots, Not Enough Aircraft

Akasa Air’s expansion strategy involved hiring and training pilots ahead of its fleet growth, estimating the need for 18 pilots per aircraft. With training programs typically taking 12 months, the airline aimed to align its workforce with its projected fleet size. However, the delivery delays forced the airline to extend training durations to 18 months, with pilots often facing an additional 6-month wait for aircraft availability.

Using the industry-standard aircraft-to-crew ratio, the current fleet of 26 planes requires approximately 460 pilots. Yet, Akasa Air employs 850 pilots, leaving nearly half of them grounded. To mitigate the financial strain on its idle pilots, the airline offers a salary equivalent to 40 flying hours per week, amounting to approximately $3,000 monthly.

Despite these efforts, dissatisfaction among pilots is mounting. Complaints have been lodged with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) over perceived favoritism in assigning flying roles, further complicating the situation. The regulatory agency has fined Akasa Air in response to these grievances and suspended two executives over the issues.

Since its founding in 2022, backed by Indian investor and billionaire Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, Akasa Air has set ambitious goals to challenge the dominance of major Indian carriers like Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet. While the Indian aviation market sees growth rates of 15-20 million passengers annually, most routes remain monopolized or duopolized by these industry giants. Akasa Air aims to disrupt this dynamic by offering a high-quality, low-cost alternative.

At the heart of its expansion strategy is the Boeing 737 MAX, a modern aircraft that became widely available following its two-year grounding. Despite the controversies surrounding the 737 MAX, Akasa Air placed orders totaling over 200 aircraft, viewing the model as essential for its operational goals. However, nearly three years after the first order, fewer than 30 planes have been delivered.

This production bottleneck is not unique to Akasa Air. Boeing’s delays have drawn criticism across the aviation industry. In 2024, Emirates CEO Sir Tim Clark publicly expressed frustration with the delays, citing ongoing production and development issues with the 777X aircraft as well.

Sources:

• Simple Flying
• Featured image by Aiel

Youssef Yahya

Youssef Yahya is the CEO and Founder of Aviation for Aviators, a platform dedicated to the aviation industry. With over 3 years of experience as an aviation writer, Youssef is passionate about sharing his insights on aviation, entrepreneurship, and the broader business landscape. As a Teaching Assistant in Entrepreneurship at Nile University, he also nurtures the next generation of entrepreneurs. When he’s not exploring the skies or business ventures, you can find him saying, ‘Drag your coffee, and let’s talk aviation, entrepreneurship, and football.’

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