- Air India Express proposed higher pay and allowances for pilots from October 2026
- Senior pilots could earn up to Rs 21 lakh, with payments over three years in instalments
- Pilots question income security due to pay linked to aircraft utilisation and deployment
Air India Express' latest compensation proposal has failed to fully settle concerns among pilots, who are seeking greater certainty over their earnings, leave benefits and responsibility for operational disruptions.
The airline's proposed package includes higher monthly pay, revised productivity-linked rates and fleet-specific allowances, as per an ANI report. Senior Commanders and Commanders operating Boeing 737 aircraft could receive up to Rs 21 lakh, while Senior First Officers could get Rs 10 lakh.
These allowances are proposed to be paid in three equal instalments over three years from October 2026.
The proposal also includes a narrow-body allowance of Rs 25,000 for P1 pilots and Rs 10,000 for P2 pilots as part of fixed pay. The airline has also proposed changes to base posting rules.
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However, pilots have questioned the income security offered by the new structure. According to ANI, the proposal guarantees 40 hours of block pay, while additional earnings depend on monthly aircraft utilisation.
Pilots argue that utilisation and fleet deployment are controlled by the airline. They therefore believe the revised structure places operational risks on flight crew.
The pilots have also compared the proposal with the pre-Covid pay structure, which provided 70 hours of fixed pay. They maintain that a reduction introduced during the pandemic should not become a permanent feature of their compensation.
Leave provisions have also become a key concern. From April 1, 2027, the airline has proposed 24 Privilege Leave days, 12 Sick Leave days and six Casual Leave days.
Pilots have raised concerns that using Privilege Leave could reduce their variable earnings because leave would result in fewer flying hours. They argue that this could reduce the financial value of approved paid leave.
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Pilot representatives have also sought clarity over compensation for positioning duties, waiting time, night and Window of Circadian Low operations, lounge stays, critical airfield operations and tail swaps.
They have flagged a proposed six-day reduction in Privilege Leave and sought clarification on the treatment of Sick Leave and Privilege Leave. Questions have also been raised over taxation and repayment terms linked to retention bonuses.
The revised offer letters were scheduled for issuance by August 14, with pilots required to accept the terms by August 28.
While the airline's proposal increases headline compensation, pilots say the broader issue remains predictable income, fair leave treatment and a clearer allocation of operational risks.
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