Tata Group-owned Air India (AI) has decided to raise the retirement age from 58 to 65 in order to ensure an adequate number of pilots for its expanding fleet size. Given our fleet’s future expansion plans, it is critical that we meet our pilot workforce requirement. In comparison to Air India’s retirement age of 58 years, the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) allows pilots to fly until the age of 65. Most airlines in the industry allow pilots to fly until the age of 65, according to an internal document issued by the airline on July 29.
“To meet our requirement, it is proposed to retain our current trained pilots at Air India post-retirement on a contractual basis for 5 years extendable to 65 years,” said S.D. Tripathi, AI’s chief human resource officer (CHRO) in the document.
According to AI’s new policy, a panel of functional representatives from HR, operations, and flight safety will be formed to review the eligibility of pilots retiring in the next two years. The panel will be in charge of reviewing the pilots’ previous records in terms of discipline, flight safety, and vigilance. Following the review, the committee will recommend shortlisted names to the CHRO for post-retirement contracting.
The airline’s policy states that the post-retirement contract will include a clause requiring an annual review of the contract based on performance, conduct, and flight safety record. After five years of satisfactory service, a comprehensive evaluation of their performance will be considered for a further extension until the age of 65. According to the document, this will be reviewed by the constituted committee.
