Air India has been expanding its fleet of wide-body aircraft in the past few years, and it is now looking to hire over 100 ex-pat pilots for the fleet. The airline has already hired about 300 ex-pat pilots for its narrow-body fleet, according to a report by Business Standard.

“We have recruited over 300 ex-pat pilots and will be hiring more in the coming months,” an Air India spokesperson said. “These will be pilots who have been working overseas and who wish to continue flying with us after relocating to India.”

The airline has been expanding its fleet of wide-body aircraft in recent years as it looks to increase its market share. It recently acquired 16 new aircraft from Boeing which will add eight wide-body planes to its fleet by 2020 (Business Standard).

Air India plans to hire over 100 ex-pat pilots for wide-body planes. The move will significantly boost the airline’s capacity, its chief operating officer Vinay Dube said in a statement.

Air India has about 2000 pilots and is looking for 100 new ones with experience in wide-body aircraft. The position requires candidates to have a minimum of 10 years of experience on such planes, as well as an Air India qualification.

The job profile includes flying on long-haul routes, which require a lot of flying time and few rest periods. Pilots working for Air India also need to be well-versed in the rules and regulations of Indian aviation laws.

The airline said it will require candidates who have at least 10 years of experience in wide-body aircraft. Candidates should also have an Air India qualification and hold a valid pilot’s license with type rating on B737 or B777 class narrow-body aircraft.”

The Indian national carrier has been looking at hiring more ex-pat pilots as it is keen on adding more wide-body planes to its fleet shortly. The airline currently has a total of 150 pilots, but it wants to expand its current fleet by 15 percent by 2020. This expansion will require an additional 45 pilots and Air India is looking to hire them from overseas.

The airline has already recruited about 20 ex-pat pilots for its future fleet needs, with many more expected to join soon.

Air India’s head of human resources Rajesh Gupta told The Times of India that the airline was looking at hiring around 100 ex-pat pilots for wide-body planes over the next few years. The job profile for these new hires includes being trained on the company’s standards and culture, as well as having excellent communication skills and the ability to adapt quickly. The announcement was made at the ongoing Aero India show, where the national carrier has been showcasing its new fleet of modern aircraft. They say that they are looking for experienced pilots who have worked with Boeing and Airbus wide-body planes.

Read Also : Air India reopens route between CPH and Delhi