IndiGo may face an exodus of its commanders to AirAsia India

[cyrilroy21]

MUMBAI: IndiGo Airlines may lose a good chunk of its commanders to AirAsia India as around 100 of its pilots have applied for jobs with the proposed carrier, say sources.

Besides a hefty package that AirAsia India is offering to the pilots, there are other reasons, like better working conditions, for these pilots to move out, say Indigo sources.

"As many as 100 commanders have sought jobs with AirAsia India. And this is not only for higher packages, but also for better working conditions," airline sources told PTI.

A text message sent to the IndiGo spokesman did not yield any response.

AirAsia, in collaboration with Tata Sons and Telestra TradePlace of Arun Bhatia, plans to launch a budget airline by the end of the year with its headquarters in Chennai.

AirAsia is expected to bring in competitive pricing in the domestic aviation market with its "nano" airfares and may pose a direct competition to IndiGo, which is the undisputed leader in the low-cost segment now.

Incidentally, both IndiGo and AirAsia, have Airbus operations.

IndiGo currently has around 1,000 pilots to operate its fleet of 66 Airbus planes. Out of these, nearly 60 per cent of them are commanders.

"An IndiGo commanders' average take-home salary is around Rs 3.20-3.30 lakh a month, which is below the industry level. As against this, AirAsia India is offering a take-home salary of Rs 4-4.20 lakh a month," sources said.


IndiGo may face an exodus of its commanders to AirAsia India - The Economic Times (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/indigo-may-face-an-exodus-of-its-commanders-to-airasia-india/articleshow/20842282.cms)

[CAPTAIN WOOBLAH]

Thats the benefit of competition!! It gives the employer and employee a choice, Simple as that. The days of slavery have been here for a while regarding pay and conditions for pilots. I am looking forward to the lawyers and accountants being screwed for a change. But alas the back stabbing weak pilots of today who only think of quick fixes will surely screw it up for the masses. :ugh:

[Aeronotix]

The right to change jobs (whether for better or worse) is a fundamental right, though airlines in India do not think so.

Under the guise of affecting a public service DGCA stepped in under pressure from airlines, by introducing a 6 month notice period for pilots to serve airlines they are employed with before quitting. This has been in effect over the past couple of years!

Besides, it is mandatory for pilots to get an NOC from DGCA to join another airline. Therefore, this choice favours an employer more than an employee.

If this is not arbitrary slavery then what is??:*

[pilotbaba]

The 6 month notice rule was basically designed back in the day to help out AI & Indian Airlines and prevent mass exodus from the state sponsored companies.

The state sponsored airlines paid for all expense of crew training and that is why they could ask for such thing..

It got carried over to private airlines as well and that is where it is wrong.

The private airlines either hire type-rated guys or ask people to pay for their type rating, so they have no moral grounds for asking for a 6 month notice period.

It definitely not constitutional and will not hold well at all in case there is a writ petition in Supreme Court.

The problem is who will bell the cat.....

[Aeronotix]

Well wrong it is, but private airlines have taken refuge under this archaic law. No company ever bothers about morals or conscience these days, saving money and upping their bottom lines is it.

The constitutional validity could always be challenged in court, by which time the pilot would probably lose the job he was moving to:*and maybe reach retirement age :{

Like you said "who will bell the cat"?

[vinayak]

I have been here for 5 years and can speak for perhaps a few of us here at indiGo, it's actually a great place to be at.

As of today we have taken the 82nd airplane out of the initial 100 orders. Fleet size up to 69 airplanes, VTIFQ the latest boys! Ten of these are sharklets!!

Seven more being made for us by airbus S.A.S. and net strength by year end at 74 airplanes! Flying brand new airplanes is kinda nice... Knowing everything is new and obviously far away from it's MTBF


It's a decent size airline, pay is decent, it's on time, our taxes are paid and so is our EPF. We have a nice contract which is 11 weeks on 2 weeks off... Gives you 4 vacations of 2 weeks each!!! There is a voluntary fund incase anyone falls temp unfit or permanent unfit...

This matters, if I may, to a lot of us!

There's a lot going right over here... Air Asia will have to offer something much better than just a few thousand more for us to leave...


Just my 2 paisas....

:)

[Rotorhead1026]

I remember when Kingfisher was starting up, and luring captains away from other carriers with promises of big pay and big plans. Hmmmm ... :eek:

If you're generally treated well, it may be best to stay and work to bring the pay up, as opposed to jumping after a promise. I'm not telling anyone what to do, other than "look before you leap".

As Vinayak implies, I suspect the number seeking to leave Indigo is exaggerated.

[captainjoy]

How much is that in US Dollars per month?
Net of taxes?
Thank You

[scorpilot]

Good to read a positive post on Indigo, yes its great in many ways and I can say that after having previously worked in two Full Service Carriers..

They go about their business in a no nonsense ..no frills manner and have reaped all the benefits from KFA' s collapse. Ofcourse there is no room for complacency and things can only be improved.

But with the recent pay hike in Jet and the continued fall of our mighty rupee, options abroad look very exciting...wonder what the mgt guys at GBP have up their sleeve to retain their pilots...the latest being the direct entry on the 380's by Emirates..

Cheers

[hifly787]

Vinayak
fully agree with you Air Asia is a dump compared with indigo . rumors were in the initial interviews even transport was not offered.

[squarecrow]

Same Deal different country then.