Anti-Poaching: Airlines raise pilots’ pay as flyers return

New Delhi, April 1 (SocialNews.XYZ) Domestic airlines have started to raise pilots pay as passenger traffic inches closer to pre-Covid levels as well as to stave-off poaching of the key human resource.

Industry insiders told IANS that not just a more dynamic and open domestic aviation sector with new players is attracting pilots into its fold, but also the Gulf-based carriers.

"The industry is finally opening up after two years. Full capacities are being realised, new employment opportunities have risen again," a senior Commander with a leading India-based airline told IANS.

"Many airlines have increased salaries lately but not fully reverted back to the pre-Covid levels. Carriers in the Gulf know this. They are ready to hire on increment and even buyout the notice period, bear the cost of recertification, among other expenses."

Besides, there is demand for pilots from the two new entrants - Akasa and Jet Airways - which are expected to soon launch flight operations.

Notably, IndiGo, the largest player by domestic market and fleet size, has announced 8 per cent pay hike for its pilots from this month.

The airline said that it will raise pilots' pay by another 6.5 per cent by November, if everything goes normal.

On the other hand, the preceding pay cut was at 28 per cent, thereby, a difference still exists between pre and post-Covid pay scales.

Another airline, SpiceJet, has increased pilots' pay by 10-15 per cent for first officers and 20 per cent for trainers.

"The last two weeks have shown promising numbers for passenger occupancy. Our passenger traffic seems to be on a slow and steady rise and if it continues, we should see it touching the pre-Covid levels very soon," an airline's communication to its pilots said.

"On the compensation and benefits front, you must have received your salary for this month. You will see an increase in all our pilots' salaries with the minimum increase being 10 per cent for Captains and more than 15 per cent for First Officers."

Vistara's Senior Vice President, Captain Hamish Maxwell, said in a recent communication to the airline's pilots: "We are now seeing sustained improvement in domestic passenger demand, which has allowed us to markedly increase capacity in recent months."

However, he cited that the current geopolitical tensions in Europe are a cause of significant concern and have already impacted operations.

He said that the price of oil is now at its highest since 2008 and the airline's Europe flights have been rerouted to avoid areas of potential conflict, resulting in increased flight times.

"Despite the significant challenges that the industry is still facing, the management team and the Board are mindful of and thankful for the contribution from the crew. I'm pleased to announce that the monthly bonus component for eligible pilots will be reinstated from April 1, subject to the average active hours for the preceding month being at least 70.

"Moving forward, we will continue to review the state of the aviation industry and the financial health of the company, and will make necessary adjustments to cost measures as and when appropriate," Maxwell said.

India is expected to soon reach pre-Covid passenger traffic levels with many airlines planning to expand international operations and enhance their fleet size.

Source: IANS