How is IndiGo pilot pay structured?

The Times of India reports that IndiGo pays a fixed salary for 70 hours, while Air India guarantees pay for 40 hours. According to Air India Express sources, IndiGo's fixed base salary is relatively lower, and Air India Express pilots want the 70-hour model too.15

How has pay changed since 2020?

IndiGo cut pilot pay by 28% in 2020 and began reversing that with an 8% rise for all pilots from 1 April 2022, with a further 6.5% planned from 1 November. In August 2022, IANS reported that a further 8% was likely to come in August instead. In August 2023 the airline announced another rise from 1 October after record quarterly profit, and said salaries and allowances had already been restored to pre-Covid levels.234

How fast are pilots being promoted?

IndiGo converted more than 100 first officers into captains in May 2026 alone and reportedly hired more than 70 senior first officers from Air India Express. The airline holds more than 65% of the domestic market and adds around one aircraft a week. In December 2025 IndiGo cancelled about 3,400 flights after failing to adapt to new duty-time rules that lengthened mandatory weekly rest to 48 hours, up from 36.67