New Delhi: Air India has introduced a new work model for its flight crew called the "Flexi Contract for Pilots", which allows them to opt for shorter duty schedules while maintaining operational efficiency. The airline says this initiative is aimed at aligning pilots’ preferences with roster requirements, focusing on a better work-life balance without compromising productivity.

What is the new Flexi Contract model?

The new policy applies to Line Pilots and Line Training Captains on the A320, B777, and A350 fleets. However, Junior First Officers, Type Rating Instructors, and Direct Entry pilots are not eligible.

Under the scheme, wide-body aircraft pilots can choose a roster of 15 days on and 15 days off, while narrow-body aircraft pilots can opt for 20 days on and 10 days off. Annual leave entitlements will follow these duty patterns, with eight privilege and four sick leaves for wide-body pilots, and 12 privilege plus six sick leaves for narrow-body pilots.

The flexi contract will be valid for 12 months and may be extended at the airline’s discretion. Once the term ends, pilots will return to their original terms of employment.

How will pilots be selected?

Air India said that pilots will be chosen through an Expression of Interest (EOI) process, based on seniority and operational requirements. A three-month notice is required for exiting the scheme.

If a pilot is selected for a fleet or command upgrade, they will automatically revert to their original contract from the start of training. In cases where a pilot refuses the upgrade, the existing policy on career freezes will apply.

The airline may also decide to move a pilot back to the old contract if needed. Such a change will not affect pay terms applicable before opting for the flexi contract.

How will pay and benefits work under the new plan?

According to Air India, salaries will be determined by a dedicated pay calculator shared with the crew. Pilots will need to maintain a minimum monthly availability of 12 days for wide-body fleets and 15 days for narrow-body fleets to qualify for 40 hours of pay. Any flying hours beyond that will be paid at the same rate as under the original contract.

All existing allowances—trainer, wide-body, deadhead, and layover—will remain intact. Car lease and NPS EMIs will be adjusted against the flexi salary components.

During off-days, pilots will remain exclusively engaged with Air India and cannot take up any external employment.

What about leave and insurance coverage?

Under the flexi system, leave bidding will operate on an ad-hoc basis, and any previous leave bids will lapse. The total number of bid points available during the contract term will be 20 for wide-body and 30 for narrow-body pilots.

Coverage under the Loss of Licence scheme continues, including on off-days, while medical insurance and seniority protection also remain unchanged. The airline confirmed that base postings and merit or demerit policies will continue as per existing norms.

When pilots return to their original contracts, they will automatically rejoin the next regular leave-bidding cycle.

When does the new system begin?

The flexi contract will roll out in two phases—the first starting in January 2025, followed by another in March 2025. Slot allocation will be based on seniority.

The distribution of available slots is as follows:

  • Commanders: 50 A320 slots at Bengaluru, Delhi, and Hyderabad; 30 B777 slots at Mumbai and Bengaluru; and 20 A350 slots at Delhi.
  • First Officers: 20 A320 slots at Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Hyderabad; 70 B777 slots at Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru; while A350 slots at Delhi will be announced later.

ANI inputs