Air India Extends Pilot and Staff Retirement Age in Major Policy Change

In a move set to reshape its workforce dynamics, Air India — India’s flagship carrier and a Tata Group-owned airline — has officially increased the retirement age for its pilots to 65 years, aligning with the maximum limit permitted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

This strategic decision not only addresses a long-standing demand from pilots but also brings parity with the retirement policies of its former sister airline, Vistara.

According to a Times of India report, the new policy also extends the retirement age for non-flying staff from 58 to 60 years. Until now, both pilots and non-flying employees at Air India retired at 58, creating friction among flight crew, especially when compared to Vistara’s higher retirement threshold before its merger with Air India in November 2024.

The change will directly impact around 2,600 Air India pilots. However, it is still unclear whether the same age extension will apply to the airline’s 3,600 cabin crew members, who also currently retire at 58.

Sources indicate that while the official superannuation age for Air India pilots was 58, many were already serving until 65 through tenure extensions — the highest limit allowed for commercial pilots under DGCA rules. The new uniform policy now formalizes this practice, removing uncertainty and aligning Air India with industry norms.

This move is seen as part of the Tata Group’s broader efforts to standardize policies across its aviation businesses, ensuring consistency, boosting morale, and retaining experienced talent at a time when the airline industry faces a global shortage of skilled pilots.

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