Air India’s Big Move, Plans to Hire Over 1,000 New Pilots

Air India, owned by the Tata Group, plans to employ over 1,000 pilots, comprising captains and trainers, to support the expansion of its fleet and network. Presently, the airline has a pilot strength of over 1,800 and has placed orders for wide-body planes and 470 aircraft from Boeing and Airbus.

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An advertisement posted on Thursday indicates that the Tata Group-owned carrier, which was acquired in January of last year, plans to hire over 1,000 pilots. This announcement follows the latest Airbus and Boeing firm orders placed by the airline, which include 210 A320/321 Neo/XLR and 40 A350-900/1000 from Airbus, as well as 190 737-Max, 20 787s, and 10 777s from Boeing.

Air India has advertised various job openings for captains, first officers, and trainers across its A320, B777, B787, and B737 fleet, highlighting the potential for multiple opportunities and accelerated growth. The carrier’s fleet is set to expand with the addition of more than 500 aircraft. However, some Air India pilots have expressed apprehension regarding the airline’s recent decision to overhaul their salary structure and service conditions.

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Air India recently introduced a new remuneration scheme for its pilots and cabin crew on April 17, but the Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) and Indian Pilots Guild (IPG) have rejected the proposal. The unions allege that the airline did not comply with labour practices as it failed to consult them before finalizing the new contracts.

The Tata Group operates four airlines. The Group’s Airlines include Air India, Air India Express, AIX Connect, and Vistara, which is a joint venture with Singapore Airlines. Furthermore, the group is currently working towards merging Air India Express and AIX Connect, as well as Vistara with Air India.