Air India offers to re-hire pilots post retirement for 5 yrs

Tata Group-owned Air India has offered to re-hire pilots post their retirement for a five-year period as the airline looks for stability in operations amid talk of acquiring 300 single-aisle planes, according to internal communication.

Air India is considering re-hiring these pilots as commanders, it said.

This comes even as the full-service carrier rolled out a voluntary retirement scheme for its employees, including cabin crew, and at the same time recruiting the fresh blood in the once-state-controlled carrier as well.

Pilots are the most-expensive asset for an airline and get paid the highest compared to other key roles such



as cabin crew and aircraft maintenance engineers.

Moreover, shortage of adequately trained pilots in the domestic aviation industry has always been an issue.

“We are pleased to inform you are being considered for post-retirement contract as commander in Air India for a period of 5 years or till you attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier,” Air India Deputy General Manager for Personnel, Vikas Gupta, said in an internal mail.

“During the period of post retirement contract, you will be paid the remuneration and flying allowances, as admissible, as per policy of Air India to such appointments,” he stated.