Air India Expands Pilot Hiring for B737 & A320 as IndiGo Struggles With New FDTL Norms

India’s aviation sector is witnessing a sharp contrast in strategy. As IndiGo battles widespread cancellations due to crew shortages under the newly enforced FDTL rules, Air India has launched a major recruitment drive—positioning itself as the airline ready to absorb experienced talent amid market turbulence.

Air India Announces Major Recruitment Drive

Amid rising domestic air travel demand, the Tata-owned Air India Group has rolled out an aggressive hiring plan for pilots across its Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 fleets. The airline aims to strengthen its cockpit crew as part of its long-term expansion and fleet modernization strategy.

Eligibility Criteria for B737 Captains

Air India has opened applications for both type-rated and non–type-rated pilots.

For Type-Rated B737 Pilots

Applicants must:

• Hold a valid B737 PIC endorsement
• Have completed at least 100 PIC hours on the B737 family
• Be within the maximum age limit of 62 years

For Non–Type-Rated B737 Pilots

A broader eligibility range includes:

• Minimum 500 hours on commercial jets, or
• 3,000 total flying hours, including
  • 1,000 hours on turboprops
  • 500 hours as PIC with a scheduled airline, or
• 3,000 total hours, including
  • 1,000 hours on turboprops
  • 1,500 PIC hours with a non-scheduled operator on aircraft over 15 tonnes

A320 Captain Vacancies Open Simultaneously

Air India has also published a parallel advertisement for Airbus A320 captains. Candidates are required to:

• Hold a valid A320 PIC endorsement
• Have a minimum of 100 PIC hours on the A320 family
• Be under 62 years of age

This dual recruitment approach highlights Air India’s commitment to ramping up pilot availability across both narrow-body segments.

IndiGo’s Crew Crisis Intensifies Under New FDTL Norms

The timing of Air India’s recruitment push stands out as IndiGo, India’s largest carrier, grapples with major operational challenges. The crisis escalated after the second phase of India’s amended Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms came into effect on November 1.

The new rules aim to reduce pilot fatigue by lowering maximum duty hours and increasing mandatory rest periods. However, these changes have sharply tightened IndiGo’s scheduling flexibility and exposed gaps in pilot availability.

Impact on IndiGo’s Operations

Following the FDTL changes:

• Crew availability plunged
• Flights experienced widespread delays and cancellations
• Passenger complaints surged across major airports

Aviation experts have criticized IndiGo for not bolstering its pilot workforce in time, despite receiving more than a year’s advance notice from the DGCA. Analysts argue that the crisis reflects deeper structural issues in IndiGo’s long-term hiring strategy.

Air India Capitalizes on the Opportunity

As IndiGo scrambles to stabilize its operations, Air India is seizing the moment. Its well-timed recruitment campaign positions it as an appealing destination for experienced captains looking for stability and growth.

Backed by the Tata Group’s massive long-term expansion plan, Air India aims to avoid manpower shortages and build a robust cockpit pipeline for its expanding fleet.

With aggressive hiring and strategic planning, Air India is signaling its intent to rise as a strong competitor while its rival navigates one of its toughest operational phases.

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