Air India Pilots Express Displeasure Over Vistara Merger Due to Retirement Age Discrepancy
A section of pilots at Tata-owned Air India has voiced dissatisfaction with the upcoming merger of the airline with Vistara, citing concerns over differing retirement age policies between the two carriers. As the merger date of November 11 approaches, these pilots fear that they could lose up to two years of service compared to their counterparts at Vistara, which could impact their retirement plans and career longevity.
A section of pilots at Tata-owned Air India has voiced dissatisfaction with the upcoming merger of the airline with Vistara, citing concerns over differing retirement age policies between the two carriers. As the merger date of November 11 approaches, these pilots fear that they could lose up to two years of service compared to their counterparts at Vistara, which could impact their retirement plans and career longevity.
Currently, Air India’s retirement age for pilots and other employees is set at 58, while Vistara, which is jointly owned by Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, offers a retirement age of 60. This disparity has created tensions among Air India pilots, many of whom will be forced to retire two years earlier than their Vistara counterparts, despite working for the same parent company.
The merger is part of Tata Group’s broader strategy to consolidate its aviation business under the Air India brand. While the airline has made efforts to standardize salaries and other working conditions for employees of both airlines, the issue of differing retirement ages has not yet been addressed. According to sources close to the matter, management has not provided a clear policy on a unified retirement age for the merged entity, which is expected to exacerbate the discontent among Air India pilots.
“The retirement age discrepancy has become a significant concern for a section of Air India pilots. They are worried that despite their extensive experience, they could lose two valuable years of service when compared to Vistara pilots, who are assured of working for two more years,” a source said.
The issue is compounded by the fact that civil aviation regulations, governed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), permit pilots to work until the age of 65. This leaves many Air India pilots feeling shortchanged, as they stand to retire two years earlier than their Vistara colleagues despite having more years of service.
In addition to the retirement age issue, some pilots have also expressed frustration over the common seniority list, where many Air India pilots have been ranked lower than Vistara pilots despite having more experience. This has raised concerns about career progression and seniority within the merged entity.
Earlier this year, Air India introduced a new policy aimed at retaining select pilots after retirement. Under this policy, pilots would be offered a five-year contract extension, with the possibility of further extension until they reach the age of 65. However, the retirement age disparity between the two airlines remains a sticking point for many pilots.
Air India has yet to comment on the pilots’ concerns, leaving many employees uncertain about their future in the newly merged airline. As the merger date draws closer, the issue of retirement age remains unresolved, adding to the anxiety and frustration among Air India’s pilot community.
Sources By Agencies
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