Akasa Air Cadet Pilot Program 2026 (SkyCadet)
From your first ground-school class to the right-hand seat of a Boeing 737 MAX. Everything an aspiring cadet needs to know, decoded by Pilots Academy, Gurugram.
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Intake status (checked October 2026)
Applications for the 2026 batch closed on 24 June 2026. Akasa has not announced the next intake yet. Watch the official Akasa SkyCadet page, and use the time to clear your DGCA ground subjects.
What Is the Akasa Air SkyCadet Program?
In short: SkyCadet is Akasa Air’s structured, end-to-end cadet pilot program. It takes you from zero flying experience through DGCA ground school, a Commercial Pilot Licence with 200+ flying hours at a partner FTO and a Boeing 737 MAX type rating, in about 24 months, with the aim of inducting you as a First Officer. It is built on world-class safety, high-quality training and service excellence.
| Airline | Akasa Air |
| Duration | Approx. 24 months |
| Flying hours | 200+ hours |
| Pathway | Ground School → CPL → Type Rating |
| Outcome | First Officer (Boeing 737 MAX) |
| Estimated cost | ₹97.4 lakh – ₹1.06 crore |
| Partner FTOs | Dunes Aviation (Bhavnagar) & Skynex Aero (Jalgaon) |
| Last date (2026 batch) | 24 June 2026 (closed; next intake not yet announced) |
Akasa Air Cadet Pilot Program Eligibility Criteria
Check every box below before you apply. Screening is strict and based on defined guidelines.
Indian citizens, 18–40
Indian citizens only. Minimum 18 years at application; maximum 40 years at enrolment.
10+2 with PCM + English
10+2 (or equivalent) with Physics, Mathematics and English. Written and spoken English proficiency required.
DGCA Class 2, then Class 1
DGCA Class 2 during selection; Class 1 required for CPL. No criminal record. Valid passport required.
See our full pilot eligibility requirements checklist and the Class 1 medical requirements guide.
Akasa Air Cadet Pilot Program Fees and Cost
In short: the estimated total cost is ₹97.4 lakh to ₹1.06 crore, covering DGCA ground school, 200+ hours of CPL flying at Dunes Aviation or Skynex Aero, and the Boeing 737 MAX type rating. Confirm the current fee and payment schedule with Akasa and your FTO in writing before paying.
Financing tip
Before committing to ₹1 crore, get your family a clear financial roadmap. We help cadet families compare loan structures, payment milestones and exit clauses across all airline cadet programs.
Akasa SkyCadet Selection Process
A comprehensive, multi-stage evaluation of aptitude, cognitive ability, communication skills and overall readiness.
- 1
Apply online
Submit your application via the Akasa careers portal.
- 2
Screening
Application screening based on defined guidelines.
- 3
Aptitude test
- 4
Psychometric & medical
Personality profiling and initial medical checks.
- 5
Interview
Panel evaluation by airline experts.
- 6
Final selection
Contract signing and program commencement.
The 2026 intake closed on 24 June 2026. Use this link to apply when Akasa opens the next one.
Pilots Academy tip
Stages 3, 4 and 5 (aptitude, psychometric and interview) are where most candidates are eliminated. These are exactly the stages we train you for, one-on-one at our Gurugram facility.
The Akasa SkyCadet Training Journey
Structured across three stages for completion within approximately 24 months, with 200+ hours of flying.
Ground School
Foundational aviation theory aligned with DGCA requirements, delivered with state-of-the-art training infrastructure. Clear these subjects early with DGCA CPL ground classes.
Flight Training
CPL pathway with 200+ hours of dual, solo and instrument flying at a partner Flight Training Organisation (FTO).
Type Rating
Boeing 737 MAX type rating, with guidance and interaction from experienced Akasa Air pilots.
Akasa Cadet Program FTOs: Dunes Aviation vs Skynex Aero
Your entire 200+ hours of CPL flying happens at ONE of these two FTOs. Study both before you state your preference in the application.
| Criteria | Dunes Aviation Academy Bhavnagar, Gujarat | Skynex Aero Pvt. Ltd. Jalgaon, Maharashtra |
|---|---|---|
| Training bases | 2: Bhavnagar (Gujarat) + Bhilwara (Rajasthan) | 3: Jalgaon (Maharashtra) + Mehsana (Gujarat) + Delhi |
| Airspace | Bhavnagar: controlled AAI airport with ATC, VOR + ILS/RNP. Bhilwara: uncontrolled. | Jalgaon: fully-lit runway, Doppler VOR, full IFR & night environment, live RT with commercial jets. |
| Flying weather | Coastal Gujarat + Rajasthan: generally good VMC, low traffic. | Jalgaon & Mehsana: ideal weather, uncongested airspace. |
| Total fleet | ~4–5 aircraft per base (≈ 8–10 total)* | 18+ aircraft (cadets report 20+ and growing) |
| Single-engine fleet | Cessna 172 Skyhawk + Piper Archer DX | 15 Piper Archer DX + 2 Cessna 172 |
| Multi-engine fleet | Diamond DA42 Twin Star (G1000 + GFC700) | 1 Tecnam P2006T twin |
| Avionics & simulators | Garmin G1000 fleet-wide. Redbird FMX full-motion sim. | Garmin G1000 fleet-wide. Sim training offered. |
| Instructors | ~4–5 per base (≈ 8–10 total)* | 30+ instructors (≈ 1:5 instructor to cadet ratio) |
| Accommodation | Exclusive residential complex, AC ensuite rooms. | AC fully-furnished hostel, shuttle to airfield. |
| Estimated completion | Not published publicly; commitments given internally. | 13–16 months total (cadets report flying in ~10 months) |
*Dunes fleet and instructor figures are Pilots Academy field estimates. Always verify current batch loads in writing during counselling.
Skynex Aero, Jalgaon
- Largest verifiable fleet (18–20+), so fewer queues for sorties
- Published record: 95 CPLs, 37,000+ hrs, 170+ cadets
- ~1:5 instructor ratio with 30+ instructors
- Fastest stated completion: 13–16 months
- Only 1 twin (Tecnam P2006T), so multi-engine slots can bottleneck
Dunes Aviation, Bhavnagar
- Controlled AAI airport with ILS/RNP: real ATC R/T from day one
- Diamond DA42, the gold-standard multi-engine trainer
- Redbird FMX full-motion simulator (SE + ME)
- Premium residential campus: AC ensuite rooms, meals included
- Smaller setup (~4–5 aircraft/instructors per base), so confirm the load
The Captain’s bottom line
If pure speed-to-licence and proven throughput matter most, prefer Skynex. If ATC-rich flying, DA42 multi-engine quality and campus comfort matter most, prefer Dunes. Either way, clear your DGCA ground subjects BEFORE joining: it protects your bond and gets you to flying 3–6 months earlier.
Akasa Air Pilot Salary After Training
Akasa pays a fixed salary for 40 flying hours plus an hourly rate above that. A First Officer’s fixed pay is about ₹2.6 lakh a month and a Senior First Officer’s about ₹3.4 lakh, before flying allowance. See the full Akasa Air pilot salary breakdown and how it compares with IndiGo and Air India.
How Pilots Academy Prepares You for Akasa SkyCadet Selection
Run by an active commercial airline pilot with 15+ years of experience, we prepare you for every stage of the Akasa SkyCadet selection.
Aptitude Test Prep
Targeted practice for airline-style cognitive, numerical and spatial reasoning assessments.
Psychometric Coaching
Personality-profile preparation with strategy guides and ideal-answer frameworks.
Interview Grooming
Mock HR and panel interviews with airline-standard feedback from active airline pilots.
One-on-One Mentoring
Small batches (max 6–8 students) ensure every cadet gets individual attention.
DGCA Ground School
Complete CPL ground subject coaching under one roof to clear exams before flying.
Honest Career Counselling
Unbiased guidance on cadet programs across IndiGo, Air India, Air Arabia, Emirates and Akasa.
Akasa Air Cadet Pilot Program FAQs
What is the Akasa SkyCadet program?
What are the Akasa Air cadet pilot program fees?
How much does an Akasa Air pilot earn?
Can I apply without Physics and Maths in 10+2?
Can I wear glasses?
What if I fail the medical?
Can I re-apply if not selected?
Is a job guaranteed?
Do I have to join Akasa after training?
Captain Akhil
6,000+ flight hours · Former Commander with Jet Airways, SpiceJet & Vistara · Mentor at Pilots Academy
Captain Akhil is a former Commander with Jet Airways, SpiceJet and Vistara, with 6,000+ flight hours. That first-hand experience across three major Indian carriers shapes the cadet selection, training and career guidance on this page, combined with current published airline data.
Other Airline Cadet Pilot Programs
IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program
₹85 lakh–₹1.3 crore, A320 First Officer route.
Air India · IndiaAir India Cadet Pilot Program
Selection, training and bond explained.
Emirates · DubaiEmirates Cadet Pilot Program
EFTA route for international students.
Flydubai · UAEFlydubai Cadet Pilot Program
Ab initio MPL to Boeing 737 Second Officer.
Air Arabia · UAEAir Arabia Cadet Pilot Program
MPL in Sharjah to the A320 flight deck.
Singapore AirlinesSingapore Airlines Cadet Pilot Program
Fully sponsored, open to all nationalities.
Also read: Pilot salary in India 2026 · How to become a pilot in India
Ready to Earn Your Wings?
Book a free one-on-one counselling session with our airline pilot mentors and be ready for the next Akasa SkyCadet intake. DLF Phase 2, Gurugram · @pilots_academy_
Disclaimer: Program details are as published by Akasa Air and are subject to change. Pilots Academy is an independent training institute and is not affiliated with Akasa Air. Verify final terms on the official Akasa careers portal.