Air India Express on a hiring spree

Air India Express (AI Express), the low-cost subsidiary of flag carrier Air India (AI) which flies primarily to West and South East Asia, is on a hiring spree. The move is to fill the gap caused by a heavy exodus of cabin and cockpit crew over the last few months from the airline, citing poor working conditions. The airline, which has a fleet of 21 aircraft, needs 440 cabin crew for its full operations, but only has around 361 at the moment. As many as 50 cabin and cockpit crew have left the airline over a period of three months, sources said.
When contacted, an Air India spokesperson said, “In some cases, contracts had expired, and those who did not agree with the new terms and conditions decided to leave. Hiring is on at the carrier and suitable candidates who meet our standards will be recruited in phases. We are in an expansion mode and hence, need more staff.”
02/12/10 Shaheen Mansuri/Financial Express