Airlines

Air India to Hire 1,000 Pilots For Fleet Of Boeing, Airbus Aircraft

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In order to grow its fleet and network, Tata Group-owned Air India stated on Thursday that it plans to hire more than 1,000 pilots, including captains and trainees. The airline, which currently has more than 1,800 pilots, and has ordered 470 aircraft from Boeing and Airbus, including wide-body aircraft.

The most recent solid order from Airbus includes 40 A350-900/1000 and 210 A320/321 Neo. The 190 737-Max, 20 787, and 10 777 aircraft that make up the firm Boeing order. The action is being taken as the airline’s most recent decision to change the pilots’ pay structure and working conditions has been met with criticism from the pilots.

On April 17, Air India unveiled a revised compensation structure for its pilots and cabin crew. The two pilot unions, the Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) and the Indian Pilots Guild (IPG), have since rejected the new compensation structure on the grounds that the airline, in alleged violation of labour laws, did not consult them before finalizing the new contracts.

There are four airlines owned by the Tata Group: Air India, Air India Express, AIX Connect, and Vistara, a joint venture with Singapore Airlines. The company is currently integrating Vistara, Air India Express, and AIX Connect into Air India.

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Airlines

DOT Proposes New Passenger Compensation Rules for Flight Disruptions

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has unveiled a major initiative to enhance protections for air travelers affected by flight cancellations or significant delays caused by airlines.

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This Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeks public feedback on new measures that could require airlines to compensate passengers and provide necessary services automatically.

Key Proposals by the DOT:

Cash Compensation for Airline-Caused Disruptions
- Airlines may be required to pay passengers at least $200 in cash for flight disruptions caused by circumstances under their control, such as mechanical issues or IT failures.
- A tiered compensation system is being considered:
  - $200–$300 for domestic delays of 3–6 hours.
  - $375–$525 for delays lasting 6–9 hours.
  - $750–$775 for delays exceeding 9 hours.
- The DOT is exploring whether smaller airlines should have different compensation thresholds and whether compensation is needed if passengers are notified weeks in advance of a disruption.
Free Rebooking on the Next Available Flight
- Airlines may be obligated to rebook passengers at no extra cost if a flight is canceled or delayed by at least 3 hours domestically or 6 hours internationally.
- Rebooking options may include:
  - Flights operated by the airline or its codeshare partners.
  - Flights on other carriers with which the airline has a commercial agreement if no suitable options are available within 24 hours.
Provision of Meals, Lodging, and Transportation
- Airlines may need to cover meals, overnight accommodations, and transportation for stranded passengers.
- Minimum reimbursements could be established when services aren’t provided upfront, ensuring passengers can recoup costs even without submitting receipts, up to a defined limit.

The DOT’s proposals draw inspiration from consumer protection frameworks in countries like Canada, Brazil, the UK, and the European Union. Research suggests that EU compensation requirements have successfully reduced the frequency and length of delays, demonstrating the effectiveness of such measures.

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Passengers currently face numerous hurdles when seeking compensation or services, including vague policies, lack of upfront communication, and reliance on in-person requests at airports. The new rulemaking aims to close these gaps by establishing clear, enforceable standards for airlines.

Public input on the proposed measures will shape the final rules. The DOT hopes these changes will create a more accountable and passenger-friendly system, ensuring travelers are better supported during disruptions.

With these proposed rules, the DOT seeks to make airline travel more reliable and fair, setting a new standard for passenger rights in the United States.