NEW DELHI- Air India increased pilot salaries by 8% to 15% on Friday, with commanders receiving the largest raises and increases tapering down by rank.
The move came as the Tata Group-owned carrier continued rebuilding its workforce and preparing for a major expansion in aircraft and international operations.
Air India Express (IX), which operates a predominantly single-aisle fleet, will become the main pathway for command upgrades under the revised framework, while Air India will offer pilots opportunities to progress into wide-body operations.
The strategy is designed to improve career progression, strengthen pilot retention and support the group’s long-term expansion plans.
Air India Pilot Pay Revised Under New Structure
The revised compensation framework will continue Air India’s 40-hour guaranteed pay system, under which pilots receive a minimum payment for 40 flying hours regardless of their actual monthly flying.
However, the airline has increased flying allowance rates, including payments for hours flown beyond the guaranteed threshold.
The change brings pilot compensation closer to industry benchmarks while providing greater rewards for higher productivity.
A senior commander flying around 55 hours a month will now earn about Rs 8.3 lakh, compared with Rs 7.5 lakh previously, while a first officer flying the same hours will earn around Rs 3.3 lakh, up from slightly above Rs 3 lakh.
The revised package also includes a change in privilege leave, which has been reduced from 30 days to 24 days. However, mandatory weekly days off required under aviation regulations will not be counted as part of the leave entitlement.
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Air India Express Role in Expansion Strategy
Air India is also using the new pay structure to make Air India Express more attractive to pilots, particularly as the group works to address crew shortages affecting its Boeing 737 fleet.
Pilots who support the growing 737 operation will also receive a fleet allowance under the new arrangement.
Under the planned career structure, first officers will primarily receive command upgrade opportunities at Air India Express before progressing to Air India.
After gaining command experience on single-aisle aircraft, pilots can move toward wide-body flying and higher-paying command positions at the mainline carrier.
The group said pilots across Air India and Air India Express will operate under a common seniority framework. This is intended to create a more transparent career path and provide pilots with clearer visibility over future advancement opportunities.
Expansion Plans for Future Growth
The salary increase comes as Air India restores international flying that had been reduced following the West Asia crisis
. The continued closure of Pakistan’s airspace has forced Indian carriers to operate longer western routes, increasing flying times and creating additional crew requirements.
Since the Tata Group took control of Air India and Air India Express in January 2022, the group’s fleet has expanded from about 100 aircraft to nearly 300, Times of India reported.
It has also placed orders for 600 new aircraft, including 80 wide-body aircraft, creating a substantial future demand for trained cockpit crew.
Air India is simultaneously investing in pilot development through a modern aviation academy in Gurugram featuring Airbus and Boeing full-flight simulators, along with a new flying training school in Amravati, Maharashtra.
The latest pay and career measures therefore form part of a broader effort to develop and retain pilots as the airline prepares for its next phase of growth.
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