Air India has recently announced an increase in the retirement age for its pilots from 58 to 65 years. This decision aligns Air India with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) regulations, which permit pilots to fly until the age of 65. The move also brings Air India in line with the retirement policies of many other airlines in the industry.

The announcement was made during a town hall meeting addressed by Air India CEO and MD Campbell Wilson. Sources indicate that the decision to raise the retirement age also applies to non-flying staff, whose retirement age will be increased to 60 years. Previously, the retirement age for both pilots and non-flying staff was 58.

According to an internal document issued by the airline on July 29, the decision to increase the retirement age is driven by the company's future expansion plans and the need to maintain an adequate number of pilots. The airline's internal document stated that allowing pilots to fly until 65 is common practice in the airline industry. To meet these requirements, Air India plans to retain current trained pilots on a contractual basis for five years post-retirement, extendable up to the age of 65. The post-retirement contract will include a clause for annual performance reviews, conduct, and flight safety record. After five years of satisfactory service, a committee will conduct a comprehensive examination of their performance to determine further extensions until the age of 65.

Air India has around 24,000 employees, including approximately 3,600 pilots and nearly 9,500 cabin crew members. It is currently unknown whether the retirement age for cabin crew will also be raised.

This change in retirement policy follows Air India's merger with Vistara in November 2024 and addresses concerns among pilots regarding unequal retirement policies. Many pilots had already been granted extensions up to the DGCA's regulatory maximum of 65 years.