Air India Express pilot hiring plan sparks internal unrest as carrier scouts IndiGo talent

Air India Group’s attempt to recruit Airbus A320 pilots from IndiGo has sparked concern within Air India Express, with several aviators warning that fresh hiring could worsen already low aircraft utilisation and weigh on pilot earnings, according to a report by The Times of India.

The Tata Group–owned low-cost carrier has recently advertised for experienced A320 captains, a move seen by industry observers as an effort to tap IndiGo’s pilot pool at a time when the country’s largest airline by fleet size is grappling with operational disruptions.