Air India launches flexible contract model for pilots

Air India rolls out a “Flexi Contract for Pilots,” a new work model that lets flight crew choose shorter duty patterns while keeping operations running smoothly.

- TBG NETWORK

The airline says the plan aims to match pilots’ preferences with roster needs and focuses on work-life balance without hurting efficiency. Under the policy, Line Pilots and Line Training Captains on A320, B777 and A350 fleets are eligible. Junior First Officers, Type Rating Instructors and Direct Entry pilots are not. The contract offers two fixed patterns: for wide-body aircraft, 15 days on and 15 days off; for narrow-body aircraft, 20 days on and 10 days off. Annual leave aligns with these rosters--eight privilege and four sick leaves for wide-body pilots, and 12 privilege plus six sick leaves for narrow-body colleagues. The contract tenure will be 12 months, which can be extended at the company’s discretion. After the contract ends, pilots return to their original terms. Air India states that selection