IndiGo introduces ‘MX’ honorific for internal candidates

Image used for representational purpose only. | Photo Credit: Reuters

IndiGo is considering introducing a gender-neutral option of the honorific ‘MX’ for internal candidates as part of its broader efforts to promote inclusivity.

Besides, the country’s largest airline, which has a domestic market share of 62 per cent, aims to double the number of disabled persons it employs.

The airline spokesperson said it was considering introducing the honorific ‘MX’ option for internal candidates.

Sukhjeet S Pasricha, Group Chief Human Resources Officer, IndiGo, told PTI that the airline has implemented various initiatives for the LGBTQ+ community, including a specially designed employee referral programme to encourage the hiring of LGBTQ+ individuals.

“This has strengthened candidate organizing through internal resources and fostered a more inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ employees… We partner with agencies that specialize in LGBTQ+ recruiting,” he said.

According to him, LGBTQ+ individuals are constantly being recruited and working in various jobs, including flying in the airline.

“Our benefits such as gender reassignment surgery, inclusion of live-in partners in medical insurance have created an even more inclusive space, and has been an attractive feature in our outreach to interested candidates from the community,” he added.

The airline had 36,860 permanent employees as of the end of 31 March 2024, including 5,038 pilots and 9,363 cabin crew.

“Our organisation has over 240 people with disabilities working in customer-facing roles across 60+ cities. Hiring people with disabilities is decided based on a number of factors, including safety, accommodation needs and skill mapping.

“We prefer merit-based hiring and have hired persons with disabilities primarily for airport operations roles as customer service officers/executives, some of whom also work in cargo teams,” Pasricha said.

He also said that the airline aims to increase the number of disabled persons employed by it by at least two-fold in the coming financial year.