Lead - Cabin Rostering

• To own and lead the end-to-end cabin crew rostering function for the Air India, ensuring regulatory-compliant, operationally optimised, and crew-welfare-sensitive roster delivery across an expanding multi-fleet, multi-base network. The role carries full accountability for roster quality, fairness, system utilisation (Jeppesen / CAE), and the timely release of all scheduled and ad-hoc rosters in line with DGCA CARs, FDTL norms, and company policy.


• In addition to the core rostering mandate, the role will progressively assume ownership of cabin crew training planning — covering ground, and recurrent training scheduling — making this a dual-function leadership position at the intersection of operational planning and crew development. The incumbent is expected to drive continuous improvement through data analytics, process automation, and cross-functional stakeholder management, while building and mentoring a high-performing planning team.

A.  Roster Planning & Delivery

• Own the end-to-end cabin crew roster planning cycle — from pre-assignment through to published roster — ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant delivery across all bases and fleet types.


• Develop and implement strategic rostering plans that optimise crew coverage against flight schedules, leave patterns, and training requirements while adhering to DGCA FDTL and company welfare norms.


• Accountable for equal and fair distribution of flights and block hours across the cabin crew cohort; ensure fairness parameters are within defined thresholds in JCR-optimised rosters.


• Accountable for timely completion of annual and short leave bidding and assignment within defined timelines.


• Accountable for pre-assignment task completion and resolution of all carry-forward non-availabilities within allocated time.


• Manage and resolve disruptions to published rosters promptly, minimising operational impact and maintaining crew welfare standards.


• Accountable for timely release of all mandatory post-publication roster reports to relevant stakeholders.

B.  Cabin Crew Training Planning(Progressive Mandate)

Th This accountability is being progressively added to the role scope in line with organisational growth requirements.

• Own the planning and scheduling of cabin crew ground training, and recurrent training events, ensuring alignment with upgrade cycles, regulatory recency requirements, and CCTM / DPM norms.


• Coordinate with the Training department to build and maintain training calendars that integrate seamlessly with operational roster cycles, minimising ground time and crew disruption.


• Develop training module content and continuous assessment strategies for cabin crew planners on rostering processes, systems, and regulatory compliance.


• Monitor training completion rates and flag risks of regulatory non-compliance or recency lapses to the reporting manager in advance of impact.

C.  Systems, Technology & Analytics

• Operate and optimise crew management systems — Jeppesen Crew Pairing Optimizer, Jeppesen Crew Rostering Optimizer, CAE Crew Manager — to their full capability potential.


• Partner with the Digital & Technology team to automate rostering workflows, improve system efficiency, and enhance roster quality through data-driven enhancements.


• Generate, analyse, and present key rostering performance reports using advanced business analytics tools; surface actionable insights to management on crew utilisation, OTP impact, and fairness compliance.


• Use historical data analysis to forecast future scheduling challenges and proactively propose solutions ahead of operational impact.

D.  Regulatory Compliance & Governance

• Ensure all rostering activities are fully compliant with DGCA CARs, FDTL regulations, CCTM, DPM, company policies, and crew welfare rules — with zero tolerance for regulatory breach.


• Maintain current knowledge of CAR updates, regulatory changes, and industry best practices; brief the team proactively on changes affecting rostering operations.


• Escalate red flags and compliance risks to the reporting manager in advance, with proposed mitigation actions.

E.  Team Leadership & Capability Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop the cabin crew rostering team — setting clear performance expectations, providing coaching, and building technical and analytical capability across the team.


• Act as the primary escalation point within the team for complex rostering decisions, system issues, and operational disruptions.


• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across rostering processes, proactively identifying inefficiencies and implementing solutions.


• Collaborate across Cabin Crew Operations, Network Planning, HR, Training, DOPS, Licensing, HOTAC, and Commercial to ensure seamless cross-functional coordination.

Any other additional responsibility could be assigned to the role holder from time to time as a standalone project or regular work. The same would be suitably represented in the Primary responsibilities and agreed between the incumbent, reporting officer and HR.

Airline Operational Expertise — multi-fleet rostering environment

Strategic Planning & Analytical Thinking

Team Leadership & People Development

Regulatory Knowledge — DGCA CARs, FDTL, CCTM, DPM

Systems Proficiency — Jeppesen, CAE Crew Manager

Data Analytics & Reporting — Advanced Excel

Stakeholder Management & Cross-functional Coordination

Decision-making Under Pressure & Problem Solving

Cabin Crew Department

Develop optimised rosters meeting operational requirements; coordinate on disruptions, extensions, and exceptional crew requests.

Training Department / DOPS / Licensing

Align training calendars with roster cycles; flag crew training expiries; coordinate upgrade and recurrent training scheduling.

Digital & Technology

Drive system enhancements, rostering automation, and workflow improvements; liaise on crew management system upgrades.

Network Planning

Coordinate on schedule amendments, crew feasibility requests, and advance planning for new route / fleet additions.

Administration — HR

Manage HOTAC requirements and crew administrative support coordination.

Commercial Department

Coordinate seat blocking requirements on international sectors impacting crew positioning.

Crew Management System Providers

Manage vendor relationships for Jeppesen and CAE systems; coordinate on upgrades, issue resolution, and optimisation initiatives.

Education

Bachelor's degree; MBA / PGDM preferred. DGCA-approved aviation course (min. 3 years duration) considered equivalent.

Minimum Requirement

Desired / Advantage

Experience

• 7+ years in crew rostering operations (10+ for CM grade)


• Comprehensive knowledge of DGCA FDTL & training requirements for cabin crew


• Proven experience managing complex rostering scenarios under time pressure


• Experience leading a team of planners / analysts

• 10+ years in airline operational environment


• Hands-on proficiency with Jeppesen Crew Pairing & Rostering Optimizer


• Familiarity with CAE Crew Manager or similar systems


• International airline operations experience


• Understanding of fatigue risk management principles

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Approved By

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