About Air India Express

Based in India, Air India Express is a low-cost airline. Its airline codes are IX (IATA) and AXB (ICAO). Pilots at Air India Express fly types such as the Airbus A320-200, Airbus A320neo, Airbus A321neo, Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 737 MAX 8. The operation is built around Bengaluru (BLR), Delhi (DEL) and Mumbai (BOM). Air India Express is part of Air India.

Air India Express hires pilots for its own operation. Pilot vacancies are published on a careers portal, linked in the profile on this page. The requirements listed on this page cover licence, flying hours, type rating, medical certificate, age, right to work and language. The selection is described stage by stage on this page.

The four phases

Air India Express at a glance

IATA / ICAO

IX / AXB1

Country

India

Hubs

Bengaluru (BLR), Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM)1

Fleet

Airbus A320-200, Airbus A320neo, Airbus A321neo, Boeing 737-800, Boeing 737 MAX 81

What does Air India Express ask of pilots?

Licence

Captain: valid ATPL with current IR and Pilot's Proficiency Check, FRTOL, COP/RTR. First Officer: valid CPL or ATPL with current IR and Pilot's Proficiency Check, FRTOL, COP/RTR. eGCA id with validated licences required.56

Hours

Type rated captain: minimum 100 PIC hours on B737 family; non type rated captain: for example minimum 500 hours on commercial jets (other turboprop and military routes listed). First Officer: minimum 100 hours post line release on B737.56

Type rating

First Officer: valid B737 co-pilot endorsement. Captain: B737 PIC endorsement, or non type rated route.56

Medical

Valid Class I medical fitness assessment.56

Age

Captain: maximum 62 (type rated) or 60 (non type rated). First Officer: maximum 40 (45 for defence pilots with B737 rating and ATPL).56

Right to work

Captain: Indian nationals. First Officer: Indian nationals or Overseas Citizens of India.56

Language

ICAO Aviation English Language Proficiency level 4 or above endorsed on the licence.56

1. 1Wikipedia: Air India Express · accessed 11 Oct 2026
2. 2Air India Careers, Air India Express section · accessed 10 Oct 2026
3. 3AIX Pilots job category · accessed 10 Oct 2026
4. 4Air India Express home · accessed 11 Oct 2026
5. 5Air India Group careers: B737 Type Rated and Non Type Rated Captains, Air India Express · accessed 11 Oct 2026
6. 6Air India Group careers: B737 Type Rated Co-Pilots, Air India Express · accessed 11 Oct 2026