Air India pilots withdraw opposition to new wage agreement, as airline steps up hiring

At a time when the Indian aviation industry is in doldrums following the insolvency of Go First, the threat to SpiceJet and a delayed relaunch of Jet Airways, the country's grand old airline is recovering swiftly. After being taken over by Tata Sons, Air India has placed a massive order for 840 aircraft, and is on a hiring spree to address crew shortage.

As an additional boost, its wage agreement facing opposition from two pilots' unions, has also been accepted by a majority of its staff.

Threatened by new recruits?

• After an extension to a deadline for pilots to accept the new salary structure, the unions withdrew their opposition, as 80 per cent members voted in favour of the agreement.

• An Economic Times report suggested that the change of heart among pilots may have been trigered by fears of the airline hiring replacements from outside.

• The decision also came days after pilots flocking to venues forced Air India to extend its walk-in interviews by another day.

• As Go First is grounded and the resolution may take time, Air India and IndiGo have received hundreds of applications.

Why oppose in the first place?

• The wage revision is a first after Air India came under Tata's wing, and is applicable for pilots at Vistara, Air India Express and Air Asia as well.

• It involves a 20 per cent hike and a faster career progression for the crew, in a bid to attract new employees towards the airline eyeing rapid expansion.

• The unions had previously opposed the move since they hadn't been consulted, and saw the decision by Air India as unilateral.