Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Pilots Warn Senior Attrition Could Challenge Air India Safety
A pilots’ group says Air India and Air India Express are losing experienced pilots.
It says pay, benefits, schedules, and working conditions are making some senior pilots leave.
The group believes experienced pilots help keep flights safe because they have valuable judgment and knowledge.
It also says pilots need careful training when they move between Airbus and Boeing aircraft.
The group pointed to three flight-safety events in 2026, including a hard landing, a tail strike, and an in-flight control event.
It said these events should not automatically be blamed on pilots or treated as proof of a specific cause.
Instead, it wants Air India’s safety systems, training, fatigue management, and staffing reviewed.
Air India Express did not comment on the concerns when asked by one publication.
ALPA India warned that experienced pilot departures across the Air India Group could affect operational safety.
The association attributed attrition to remuneration concerns, reduced benefits, and worsening working conditions.
It said Airbus-Boeing fleet transitions require stronger training, consolidation periods, and cockpit-experience management.
ALPA India cited a March hard landing, a May tail strike, and an August in-flight control event for deeper review.
The pilots’ body urged Noel Tata to commission an independent review and adopt a 10-point pilot-retention framework.
- Who
- The Airline Pilots’ Association of India, led in the letter by president Capt. Sam Thomas, addressed Noel Tata and Tata management.
- What
- ALPA India raised concerns about senior-pilot attrition, fleet-transition practices, fatigue management, and potential safety gaps across the Air India Group.
- When
- The letter was reported as sent on Monday in one article and Tuesday in another; the cited flight occurrences took place in March, May, and August 2026.
- Where
- The concerns involve the Air India Group, particularly Air India Express, with cited occurrences at Phuket, Bengaluru, and on a Phuket-to-Delhi route.
- Why
- ALPA India said experienced-pilot losses, reduced benefits, uncompetitive remuneration, and deteriorating working conditions could undermine operational standards and safety.
- Association
- Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA India)
- Letter recipient
- Noel Tata
- Primary concern
- Attrition of experienced commanders and senior pilots
- March occurrence
- Air India Express flight IX938 suffered a hard landing at Phuket involving a Boeing 737 MAX 8, damaging the nose landing gear.
- May occurrence
- Air India flight AI2651 experienced a tail strike during a go-around at Bengaluru; it was classified as a serious incident.
- August occurrence
- Air India flight AI2379, travelling from Phuket to Delhi, was involved in a reported in-flight control event.
- Requested action
- An independent, group-wide review of training standards, fatigue data, safety-management effectiveness, and attrition causes.
