- Air India raised pilot salaries by 8% to 17% across all categories
- Commanders receive the highest pay hikes between 15% and 17%
- A unified seniority pool now covers pilots from Air India and Air India Express
Air India has revised the compensation structure for pilots across Air India and Air India Express, introducing salary hikes of up to 17% along with a series of policy changes aimed at strengthening pilot retention, improving career progression and supporting fleet expansion, sources told NDTV Profit.
The salary revision will see pay increases ranging from 8% to 17% across different pilot categories.
Commanders are set to receive the highest pay hikes, with salaries increasing by 15% to 17%. Senior Commanders will receive a 10% salary increase, while Senior First Officers and First Officers will see pay hikes of up to 8%, sources said.
The revised compensation package comes as the Tata Group-owned airline continues to expand its fleet and operations while competing aggressively for cockpit crew in India's fast-growing aviation market.
In addition to the salary revision, Air India Group has introduced a common seniority pool covering pilots of both Air India and Air India Express. The move is expected to provide a more unified career progression framework across the group's full-service and low-cost airline operations.
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The common seniority pool is likely to improve flexibility in pilot deployment while creating clearer long-term career opportunities within the merged airline ecosystem.
To support its expanding narrow-body operations, Air India has also introduced a dedicated Boeing 737 fleet allowance. According to sources, the additional allowance has been designed to encourage more pilots to transition to the Boeing 737 fleet, which forms a key part of Air India Express' operations and the group's domestic and short-haul international network.
The airline is also rolling out a new base transfer policy along with enhanced relocation benefits for pilots. The revised policy is expected to provide greater flexibility for crew members seeking transfers between operational bases while easing the financial burden associated with relocation.
The latest measures come as Air India accelerates its transformation strategy following its return to the Tata Group. The airline has been investing heavily in fleet modernisation, network expansion, technology upgrades and workforce integration as it seeks to strengthen its position in both domestic and international markets.
Pilot availability has emerged as a key focus area for airlines globally amid rapid fleet expansion and rising air travel demand. By revising salaries, introducing fleet-specific incentives and harmonising seniority across Air India and Air India Express, the airline aims to enhance employee retention while ensuring it has sufficient trained cockpit crew to support its ambitious growth plans.
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