Air India Express pilots are protesting the recruitment of new A320 captains, fearing reduced flying hours and pay. Around 100 pilots have written to management, questioning external hiring when internal utilization is low. They worry this will further impact their ability to meet contracted flying hours and affect their overall compensation.
NEW DELHI: IndiGo troubles are having a ripple effect on India’s big airlines. Air India group’s attempt to fish in the budget carrier’s troubled waters by coming out with an ad for experienced Airbus A320 captains has created anxiety within the former’s ranks, especially of Air India Express. The reason: AI Express’ under-utilised A320 pilots fear a swelling of their ranks will lead to further decline in their flying hours and adversely affect pay. Close to 100 pilots have so far written to the management of Tata Group’s low-cost carrier (LCC) so far to oppose the proposed induction. IndiGo is the world’s largest operator of the A320 family of planes.Air India Express currently has a fleet of 110 aircraft, of which 76 are Boeing 737s and the remaining 34 are A320 family planes of Air India and AirAsia India. At least 10 of these A320s will be returned to lessors early next year. While the airline will induct more A320s, the time lag in doing so will mean fewer flying hours – or getting the bare minimum 40 hours’ flying allowance.During Covid, erstwhile AirAsia India had reduced fixed hour payment contract of pilots from 70 to 40 hours. Subsequently, Air India also reduced the fixed hours. Only erstwhile Vistara did not do that while going in for a pay cut. IndiGo recently shifted to 50-hour fixed contracts for new junior first officers (JFOs), a reduction from the previous 70-hour standard. Fixed-hour contracts ensure pilots will get paid for a minimum of certain hours in case actual flying is less. AI Express, which has about 1,600 pilots, has its A320 aviators up in arms. “We’ve consistently been informed over the past year that the group is surplus on A320 captains, which has also been the basis for maintaining the 40-hour contract and declining the requested 70-hour contract… please clarify the reason for initiating recruitment now,” the letters say. “Why proceed with external recruitment when internal utilisation remains low?… With multiple recent resignations across the A320 fleet… is there a plan to prioritise retention or re-engagement before hiring externally? Won’t any additional recruitment at this stage further impact existing captains’ ability to achieve the contractually assumed cost to company based on 70 hours of flying?” they said.
