Airlines dole out incentives to retain pilots
NEW DELHI: Quicker career progression, a chance to fly bigger jets, large salary hikes — Indian airlines seem to be doing whatever it takes to keep highly-skilled captains from leaving them.
India has become a favourite hunting ground for cash-rich Gulf carriers in search of senior captains to cater to their ever increasing fleets. Indian carriers have lost over hundred pilots, mostly captains to Gulf carriers – mainly Etihad and Qatar Airways – this year, HT reported on May 28.
Budget carrier SpiceJet has offered its captains flying the smaller Q400 planes a chance to operate bigger Boeing jets once they accumulate 1,500 flying hours while Air India (AI), hit by a spate resignations, has offered its Dreamliner co-pilots a chance to become commanders on narrow body jets such as A320 and B737. Thirty senior Dreamliner co-pilots had resigned in quick succession. Sources said a few of them had withdrawn their resignations after being promised a quicker progression.
The national carrier also promised to clear three-year salary dues of its pilots last week. The unilateral 25% pay cut had split the airline wide open with frequent threats of industrial action by employees unless the cut was restored. Also, airlines such as IndiGo and SpiceJet have given hefty hikes to its captains recently. SpiceJet has even doubled the notice period for pilots leaving the airline to one year.
“There is a severe shortage in India forcing domestic airlines to hire expats, who charge more. It is the perks offered by Gulf carriers – tax free salary, company housing, schooling and medical expenses – that makes them so attractive,” said aviation expert Subhash Goyal.