ALPA India Seeks Better Pay, Stable Rosters To Curb Pilot Attrition At Air India Group
ALPA India suggested commissioning an independent review that covers pilot attrition, remuneration and benefits, roster practices, fatigue data, earned-leave fairness and various other factors.
Published : September 1, 2026 at 6:33 PM IST
|Updated : September 1, 2026 at 8:31 PM IST
New Delhi: The Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA-India) has urged Tata Trusts Chairman Noel Tata to introduce a comprehensive pilot-retention framework at Air India and Air India Express, citing concerns over the growing attrition of experienced pilots.
In an open letter, the pilots’ body called for employment practices at the Air India Group to be aligned with global airline standards, rather than being benchmarked only against prevailing conditions in the Indian aviation sector.
ALPA-India said the loss of experienced commanders and senior pilots, particularly at Air India Express, was a growing concern. It attributed the attrition to remuneration that has not kept pace with expectations, reduced benefits and worsening quality-of-life and working conditions.
The association also sought more predictable and stable duty rosters, saying pilots should have sufficient certainty to plan their personal and family commitments. It called for a scientific fatigue-risk management system and stronger retirement and long-term financial benefits.
The pilots’ body said such measures would be essential if the Air India Group is to achieve its stated ambition of becoming a world-class airline.
ALPA seeks A321neo simulator audit
Separately, ALPA-India wrote to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), seeking an audit of the A321neo simulator following the recent tail-strike incident in Gorakhpur.
The association argued that the recurrence of tail-strike incidents points to broader systemic and institutional issues rather than being attributed solely to individual pilot error.
ALPA-India said strengthening training systems, simulator standards and operational processes would be important to address the underlying factors behind such incidents.
ALPA India emphasised that experienced pilots are not entries on a manpower spreadsheet. They are repositories of operational judgment and institutional memory, and they represent one of an airline's most valuable safety assets.
Air India Group is owned by Tata and Singapore Airlines.
N Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons and Air India, in August, announced that he would step down as Tata Sons Chairman when his current term ends in February 2027.
Also Read
Air India Flight From Delhi Suffers Bird Hit At Patna Airport, All Passengers Safe
