Air India is Hiring More Than 1,000 Pilots

Air India is in dire need of more pilots, not only to meet the immediate demand but also to maintain operations when its fleet expands significantly over the next few years.

Air India has been working to fill the growing demand for cockpit crews for quite some time. It has tried both calling retired pilots back into service and hiring ex-pats.

Hiring over 1,000 pilots

Air India's most recent ad shows the extent of its ambition to hire more than 1,000 new pilots for its cockpit crew.

The advertisement encourages candidates to join Air India Express on its growth path and highlights the fact that its fleet will increase by over 500 planes. Pilots will be employed across the airline's fleet and Air India Express, it appears.

In the advert, it is stated that "multiple opportunities and accelerated career growth are available across our B777, A320, B787, and B737 fleets for first officers and captains, as well trainers."

Air India has ordered 190 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, which will likely be delivered to Air India Express, its low-cost international subsidiary.

The advertisement comes as the airline is busy trying to pacify some of its cockpit crew, while it negotiates salaries contracts and human resources policies regarding leaves.

Air India has been searching for experienced pilots to fill positions since last year. Air India sent a letter in June 2022 to 55 retired pilots stating that it planned to rehire these individuals. In the letter, it was stated that retired pilots were being considered for post-retirement contracts as Air India Commanders for five years.

Air India is reportedly training several senior commanders to operate the Airbus A350, which will soon join its fleet. Air India has been leasing new aircraft, including Boeing 787s.

It began looking for qualified pilots in November to operate its widebody aircraft due to a pilot shortage (which affected several flights into North America). This included ex-pats. The airline hired a firm to find cockpit crews for its fleet. It was reported that the salary per month would be $11,500 net of taxes. The airline offered a $133.30 hourly rate for pilots who flew more than 70 hours.

Air India celebrated the graduation in December of a group of 48 pilots that successfully completed their training on the airline's campus of training in Hyderabad.

Source: simpleflying.com