Layoffs: 180 Non-Flying Staff Lose Jobs in Air India

Tata-owned Air India has recently terminated over 180 non-flying staff members. The airline has stated that it has fired less than one per cent of its staff as these individuals were unable to avail themselves of voluntary retirement schemes and reskilling opportunities.

Since the Tata Group took over the struggling Air India in January 2022, efforts have been underway to streamline its business operations. An Air India spokesperson on Friday told PTI that as part of the adjustment process, employees in non-flying roles have been reassigned based on organizational requirements and individual qualifications.

"A comprehensive process has been followed to assess the suitability of all employees over the past 18 months. During this phase, there have also been multiple Voluntary Retirement Schemes and reskilling opportunities offered to employees.

"However, for less than 1 per cent of our employee base who have not been able to utilise VRS or reskilling opportunities, we have to part ways. We are honouring all contractual obligations during this process," the news agency quoted the spokesperson as stating in a statement.

Although the company did not mention the exact number of employees who were laid off, multiple reports have claimed that 180 employees have lost their jobs.

Since the Tata Group's acquisition, two rounds of Voluntary Retirement Schemes (VRS) have been extended. The spokesperson claimed that a vital component of the multi-year transformational program, Vihaan.AI, involves constructing a nimble and efficient organizational framework aligned with the business model. This framework aims to facilitate expansion and realize ambitions, the spokesperson further stated.

Air India Express, the group carrier, has a workforce of over 6,200 individuals, whereas Air India's staff count exceeds 18,500. At the time of the Tata Group's acquisition, the airline had a total of 12,085 employees, inclusive of contract workers.