Airlines

Air India Gives Salary Increments to Staff; Bonus for Pilots

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Air India announced on Thursday that it will implement annual salary increments for its staff and introduce an annual target performance bonus for pilots, according to sources. This marks the first appraisal process since the Tata Group took over the airline a little over two years ago.

Chief Human Resources Officer Ravindra Kumar GP revealed that salary increments will take effect from April 1, 2024. Additionally, performance bonus payouts for the fiscal year 2023-24 will be based on both company and individual performance, sources reported.

Pilots will see an increase in their fixed pay ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹15,000 per month. They will also be eligible for an annual target performance bonus between ₹42,000 and ₹1.8 lakh, contingent on performance metrics.

Cabin crew members will also benefit from an annual performance bonus of approximately ₹25,000. Alongside this, they will receive a standard salary increase for the financial year 2025, effective from April.

Air India, which employs around 18,000 people, aims to foster growth and transformation, as stated by Kumar. The airline achieved significant milestones in the last financial year, laying a strong foundation for its future. As part of its Vihaan.AI initiative, the airline introduced a contemporary annual performance appraisal process known as “Rise AI” and transitioned to a simplified, market-competitive, and productivity-oriented compensation structure for employees.

However, it was noted that junior first officers will not receive a hike in their monthly fixed pay. Nevertheless, they will be eligible for an annual target performance bonus, with junior first officers receiving ₹42,000 and first officers and commanders receiving ₹60,000 per annum, provided they meet performance expectations.

Airlines

A 17-yr boy was arrested for making a hoax bomb threat, causing multiple flight diversions and delays.

Mumbai police have detained a 17-year-old boy from Chhattisgarh who allegedly issued bomb threats to multiple international flights via social media. According to the police, the minor made the threats to settle a financial dispute by framing another person.

The incident began on Monday night when a New York-bound Air India flight, originally departing from Mumbai, had to be diverted to New Delhi after receiving a bomb threat. The flight was later rescheduled. That same evening, two other international flights operated by IndiGo, heading to Jeddah and Muscat, also received similar threats, causing delays of several hours.

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The investigation revealed that all three threats originated from posts made by the minor from Chhattisgarh, leading to his detention. He was subsequently handed over to the local Juvenile Justice Board. The Mumbai police found that the boy had used the name and picture of another individual, also from Chhattisgarh, to create a fake social media account and issue the threats. The intention, according to the police, was to frame the other person and settle a score over a financial disagreement.

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The situation escalated on Tuesday, when a total of seven flights, including one bound for the United States, received similar threats through a social media handle. Security agencies initiated counter-terrorist drills at various airports to ensure safety. Further investigation into the minor’s actions and motivations is ongoing.