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Pilot shortage tells on AI Express Gulf service

Ramnath Subbu

MUMBAI: Air-India Express, the subsidiary of Air-India, which operates 38 weekly flights from India to the Gulf, has announced that it will temporarily suspend three flights each from Mumbai and Delhi effective July 18.

This curtailment, according to the airline, has been necessitated by the resignation of six commanders and two co-pilots. The pilots, who were employed by Air-India Express following the PSU rules of recruitment, have, according to the airline "deserted the airline without giving the required six months notice.'' While the flights departing from Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode in Kerala remain unchanged; six flights from Mumbai and Delhi have been cancelled until July 30.

Speaking to The Hindu, Kapil Kaul, Chief Executive Officer, Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) said, "What is coming to the fore now is an industry-wide problem which could get worse. Apart from Air-India Express, around 10-12 aircraft of other airlines have been grounded. The current problem has highlighted the lack of planning in the aviation sector.

The answer is not poaching or hiring foreign pilots. It is that there is a need to have more training schools. Today 1,000-1,200 pilots with commercial licenses are unemployed.

While Air-India has spoken of setting up a flying school, others too must step in and invest in training on a fast track.'' Mr. Kaul also said that he felt many airlines were planning big expansions "without understanding the ground realities.'' The industry planned to add more than 400 aircraft by 2012, up from the current 215 aircraft. But it had not taken into account the severe lack of infrastructure and pilots.

Air-India is contemplating taking action against the commanders and co-pilots who have `deserted' AI Express. Speaking to this correspondent, V. Thulasidas, Chairman and Managing Director, Air-India, said, "the resignations have not been accepted. If they do not report back to duty, we will then decide what steps are to be taken against them.''

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