Air India has announced a new compensation package for pilots and cabin crew.
New Delhi:
Air India chief Campbell Wilson on Friday said most pilots have accepted the new compensation package introduced last week amid protests by Air India pilots’ unions against the revised pay structure and service conditions.
The loss-making airline, which was taken over from the government by the Tata group in January 2022, has announced a new compensation package for pilots and cabin crew.
Campbell in his weekly message to Air India employees on Friday said the airline is investing in workplace technology and training as well as new and improved employee benefits.
“On the latter front, I am happy to report that 90 per cent of cabin crew and most pilots have accepted the new compensation package introduced last week, which will kick back by 1 April 2023,” he said .
On 17 April, Air India introduced a new compensation structure for its pilots and cabin crew, which has since been rejected by two pilot unions – the Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) and the Indian Pilots Guild (IPG). In an alleged violation of labor practices, the airline did not consult them before finalizing the new contracts.
Both the unions have also urged their members not to sign/accept the revised contract and wage structure.
Air India has over 1,800 pilots.
The airline has embarked on a five-year transformation, under which it seeks to expand routes, flights and market share both domestically and internationally, and has also placed a firm order for 470 aircraft.
In addition, technology systems are being upgraded and people are being hired.
Air India is hiring over 1,000 pilots and will add over 500 aircraft to its fleet in the coming years.
“We are offering many opportunities and accelerated growth for Captains and First Officers as well as Instructors across our A320, B777, B787 and B737 fleets,” the company said in an advertisement on Thursday.
As part of consolidating its airline business, the Tata group is in the process of merging Vistara with Air India, along with Air India Express and AIX Connect. Vistara is a joint venture between Air India and Singapore Airlines.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)