Skynex Aero has initiated its first airline-linked cadet pilot training program in India, welcoming its initial cohort of students designated AKS01. This program is part of Akasa Air's SkyCadet Pilot Training Programme, designed to develop pilots for the expanding fleet of the Indian carrier, which operates exclusively Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
The training pathway includes three stages: ground school, DGCA Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) flight training, and Boeing 737 MAX Type Rating training. The program aims to support Akasa Air's forecasted long-term pilot requirements as its fleet grows, with the first cohort marking a significant milestone in transitioning from recruitment to active pilot training.
Skynex currently manages an 18-aircraft fleet consisting of Piper Archer DX, Cessna 172, and Tecnam P2006T models, with training bases located across Maharashtra, Gujarat, and facilities in New Delhi. The academy holds DGCA FTO approval valid through May 2027 and reports a team of 30 instructors and six examiners.
Akasa Air fully confirmed the induction of the AKS01 batch in September, with India's Minister of Civil Aviation participating in the launch event. The airline revealed that in June 2026, it launched the self-funded SkyCadet pathway with two Indian FTO partners, with the new cohort representing the first Skynex-specific group progressing into this structured training.
Akasa Air, headquartered in Mumbai, commenced commercial operations in August 2022 and continues to expand its Boeing 737 MAX fleet, now with a total of 42 aircraft following its latest induction announcement on September 1, 2026. The airline's strategic focus on pilot training underscores its long-term growth ambitions in the Indian aviation sector.
