Amid IndiGo Chaos, Air India Opens Recruitment For A320 And B737 Commanders; Here’s How To Apply

Air India didn’t wait for the dust to settle. As IndiGo continues to battle a messy operational breakdown, thousands of cancellations, restless passengers, and pilots stretched to breaking point, Air India has quietly dropped a recruitment announcement that will surely bring some relief to this aviation crisis. 

Air India Begins Recruitment Drive Amidst IndiGo’s Operational Crisis

A short post on Instagram carried the message: “The sky isn’t the limit, it’s just the beginning.” Behind that tagline sits a nationwide call for experienced pilots to join the airline’s narrow-body fleets: the Airbus A320 and the Boeing 737. It also mentioned that applications close on 22 December 2025.

Also Read: Viral Reels Turn IndiGo Chaos Into Comedy, Giving Everyone A Much-Needed Laughter Break

Air India Recruitment: Who Can Apply?

According to India.com, the airline is seeking Pilots-in-Command (PICs) with different levels of certification:

1. A320 Type-Rated PIC

• Must hold a valid A320 PIC endorsement
• Require 100 hours of PIC experience on A320/A321 aircraft.
• Maximum age: 62 years.
• Candidates will undergo a regulatory three-year incident/accident record review.

2. Boeing 737 PICs

• Type-rated applicants need a valid B737 endorsement and at least 100 PIC hours on the B737-600/700/800/900 family.
• Eligible up to 62 years of age.
• Non-type-rated pilots may also apply, but only if they meet alternate criteria:
• At least 500 hours of commercial jet time, or
• 3,000 hours total, including 1,000 on turboprops and 500 hours PIC in scheduled operations.
• Maximum age for non-type-rated candidates: 60 years.

Everyone shortlisted will still face the gatekeepers, like a psychometric test, simulator check, medical evaluation, and an interview.

A Shift In India’s Aviation Landscape

IndiGo, India’s biggest domestic airline, has been struggling since new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules tightened rest norms and reduced permissible night hours. The ripple effect has been brutal with grounded schedules, sudden cancellations, and crew reshuffling at every major airport. As pilots quietly explore better-managed flight patterns and stability, Air India’s recruitment drive may be a strategic procedure. 

The move signals something larger than a hiring push. For years, narrow-body operations in India have been dominated by just a handful of carriers. When one collapses under staffing pressure, as IndiGo just did, the entire system feels the strain.

Also Read: Anoushka Shankar Slams Air India For Damaging Her Sitar Despite Paying Handling Fee

Air India, now under Tata ownership, has expansion plans that were already ambitious. This moment simply accelerates them. If even a fraction of IndiGo’s pilots switch sides, the talent balance may shift, not just for two airlines, but across the ecosystem. While one airline tries to survive a crisis, another is quietly positioning itself to rise. 

Cover Image Courtesy: markbess/Wikipedia