GURUGRAM-Tata Group-owned Air India (AI) has raised objections to proposed norms on pilot duty and rest hours, arguing that their implementation would negatively impact pilots by reducing flying hours and their salary.
This stance was presented to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) during a mediation meeting on Wednesday, following a directive from the Delhi High Court.
Air India Pilots Salary Reduction
Federation of Indian Pilots President Captain C.S. Randhawa challenged Air India’s position, stating,
The airline is simply playing a bluff. Shouldn’t safety be paramount? How can the commercial interests of the airline supersede safety at a time of mounting pilot fatigue?”
Federation of Indian Pilots President Captain C.S. Randhawa
The Delhi High Court initiated the mediation process on October 24 to resolve the conflict between airlines and regulators over the norms. The next hearing is scheduled for December 6. Notably, Air India failed to attend an earlier meeting convened by the DGCA, reported Hindu BusinessLine.
During the latest meeting, BusinessLine sources revealed that Air India reiterated concerns shared by the broader airline industry, warning that the norms could lead to flight cancellations and increased airfares.
Background of the Controversy
The conflict traces back to a 2019 writ petition filed in the Delhi High Court by pilot groups, including the Federation of Indian Pilots, the Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association, and the Indian Pilots Guild. These groups opposed the existing norms, seeking improved regulations for duty and rest hours to address pilot fatigue.
In January 2024, the DGCA introduced revised norms aimed at reducing pilot fatigue. These included cutting night-time flying hours and extending weekly rest from 36 to 48 hours, with a June 1 deadline for implementation. However, on March 26, the DGCA suspended the rules and removed the deadline, later asking airlines to propose their own implementation timelines.
The Federation of Indian Airlines, an industry body, argued against the new norms, citing logistical challenges. It claimed the six-month timeline was too short, requiring airlines to hire an additional 10% to 20% of pilots to meet the rest requirements. Without these hires, flight cancellations would be unavoidable, it said.
The issue remains unresolved, with both sides awaiting the December 6 court hearing for further developments.
Also Read Air India Swaps Vistara Int’l Routes, Unhappy Pilots, Singapore Airline Funding
Vistara Pilots Salary Reduction
In March 2024, Vistara pilots initiated a mass sick leave protest against the new pay structure introduced by the Air India Group. The protest disrupted operations, resulting in the cancellation of over 100 flights and leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.
Under the earlier 70-hour guaranteed pay structure, Vistara Junior First Officers earned an average monthly salary of ₹2,00,000, First Officers earned approximately ₹3,20,000, and Senior First Officers received between ₹4,00,000 and ₹4,20,000.
The controversy stems from a new contract rolled out in February 2024, which significantly reduced the minimum guaranteed flying hours for all crew members from 70 to 40 hours. This change caused a sharp pay cut for junior pilots, including Junior First Officers and First Officers, who reported losses ranging between ₹80,000 and ₹1,40,000 from their previous monthly salary of ₹3,40,000.
For Captains, salaries ranged as follows:
- Entry Level: ₹7–10 lakh
- Senior Level: ₹9–13 lakh
- Highly Experienced: ₹15 lakh or more
An Air India pilot, speaking anonymously to Aviation A2Z, criticized the new pay structure, stating that salaries had declined since the pandemic. “The new contract represents a pay cut for most experienced First Officers. The reduction in guaranteed hours and lower rates are regressive.”
The pilot also highlighted the diminished overtime pay, explaining, “Earlier, we earned ₹2,900 per hour as the base rate. Overtime pay was ₹3,500 for 70–90 hours and ₹5,000 for 90–100 hours. This has now been reduced significantly.”
You can read the complete article here: Vistara Pilots Salary After Merger with Air India
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