Air India is undergoing a major transformation in its workforce to align with its goals of becoming a modern, efficient and customer-focused airline. Since the Tata Group took over the airline, a clear shift has taken place in the age and profile of its employees.
The average age of non-flying staff has been brought down from 54 to 35 years. For cabin crew, the average age has decreased to 29. This shift has been achieved through a mix of fresh recruitment, voluntary exits, and integration of teams after the merger of four airlines under the Air India brand.
Previously, the airline had not hired non-flying staff for nearly two decades due to shrinking operations and tight budget. However, the recent hiring push was crucial to meet operational demands and to comply with updated regulatory norms. These norms require higher crew availability, prompting Air India to recruit around 1,500 pilots since privatisation.
The arrival of younger cabin crew and pilots is improving service quality and operational efficiency. While the new hires bring in fresh energy and digital skills, experienced older employees continue to play guides in the whole transition process, bringing about a balance in the work culture.
The airline’s transformation is going hand in hand with its expansion plans. While the fleet has grown substantially over the last three years, there is a need for young and well-trained staff to support the expansion and maintain smooth operations.
Efforts are on to restore Air India’s internationally-known quality of service. Employees are being encouraged to approach the change with a strong sense of purpose, with eagerness to be part of the mission to revitalise the national carrier that is over 90 years old. With it’s ongoing recruitment and training efforts, Air India is busy paving the way for sustained growth and improved customer satisfaction.
