NEW DELHI: Air India on Friday hiked pilot salaries by 8% to 15%, with commanders getting the biggest hikes and increases tapering by rank. Going ahead, first officers or co-pilots will get command upgrades in AI Express, which has single-aisle aircraft, then move to AI, which has wide-body aircraft with higher pay, to build progression within the group.

Air India has tried to make Air India Express more attractive through better pay and to address shortages on the B737 fleet.Air India pilots have for years been facing a 40-hour guaranteed pay — meaning they get minimum pay for these hours irrespective of actual flying, while flying more means more pay — while IndiGo has fixed pay for 70 hours. Under the revised framework, Air India will continue to provide guaranteed pay for 40 flying hours but has enhanced flying allowance rates.

Rates beyond 40 hours have been increased, aligning compensation with industry benchmarks while rewarding productivity.Air India is restoring international flights that were slashed post the West Asia crisis and will return to Jan-Feb levels next month. Pakistan airspace closure means longer routes, higher flying time and greater pilot requirements.

A senior commander flying 55 hours a month will get Rs 8.3 lakh, up from Rs 7.5 lakh, while a first officer will get Rs 3.3 lakh, up from just over Rs 3 lakh.

Privilege leave has been reduced from 30 to 24 days, though weekly offs will not be counted as leave.Since Tata Group took over Air India and Air India Express in Jan 2022, it has grown from around 100 to 300 aircraft. Under the new framework, Air India Express will serve as the “primary pathway” for command upgrades. They can then progress to Air India for wide-body flying. A fleet allowance is being offered to pilots supporting the B737 fleet in Air India Express.