Air India's expansion takes flight: Airline set to hire over 1,000 pilots

Air India, the Indian flag carrier owned by the Tata Group, has announced plans to hire over 1,000 pilots, including captains, first officers, and trainers as part of its expansion plans.

According to the news agency PTI, Air India will need1,200 pilots for Airbus A350planes, 260 pilots for Boeing 777s and 400 pilots for Boeing 787s.

In addition, Air Indiaplans to hire over 4,200 cabin crew members in a phased manner over the next few months.

Air India currently employs over 1,800 pilots. However, with the airline now on an expansion mode, a significant rise in staffing is expected.

The flag carrier has sought 210 A320/321and 40 A350sfrom Airbus. It has placed orders for 190 737-Max, 20 787s, and 10 777 aircraftwith Boeing.

Air India's order of 470 aircraft from Airbus and Boeing, with the option to buy 370 more planes, is consideredto be the largest aircraft order by any airline.The airline intends to fund the order through a combination of internal cash flow, shareholder equity, and aircraft sale and leaseback.

Air India is on a five-year transformation journeyafter it was taken over by the Tata group in 2022. Under the transformation plan,the airline seeks to expand routes, flights and increase market share in both domestic and international segments.

As part of consolidating its airline business, the Tata Group is also in the process of merging Air India Express and AIX Connect, as well as Vistara with Air India. Vistara is a joint venture between Air India and Singapore Airlines.

Row over revised pay package

Meanwhile, the airline's pilot unions have raised concerns over the new compensation structure and service conditions announced by the carrier on April 17.

The Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) and Indian Pilots Guild (IPG) have rejected the new contracts on the grounds that the airline allegedly violated labor practices by not consulting with them before finalizing the changes.

The two unions have also urged their members not to sign/accept the revised contract and salary structure.

But Air India chief Campbell Wilson on Friday said that a majority of pilots have accepted the new compensation package.

"I'm pleased to report that 90 percent of cabin crew and a majority of pilots have received and accepted the new compensation package offered last week, which will be back dated to 1 April 2023," news agency PTI quoted him as saying.

(With inputs from agencies)