Single judge panel to look into AI disparity issues, says Ravi

Aviation minister Vayalar Ravi has suggested that concerns over the disparity in wage structures and seniority among Air India employees after its merger with erstwhile Indian Airlines are best resolved by a panel chaired by a retired judge.

The minister said this during his meetings with leaders of 14 unions of the state-run carrier. “After a two-day meeting with all the employees' unions of Air India, I have suggested formation of a committee headed by a retired judge to resolve their issues relating to service matter,” Ravi said after inaugurating the centenary celebration of civil aviation in India here. The function marked the launch of the first commercial flight in India — between Allahabad and Naini on February 18, 1911, which delivered about 6,500 letters. The minister said the unions have agreed to cooperate with the government to bring the government carrier out of red.

To questions on lack of manpower integration between the two erstwhile public sector airlines even after almost four years of their merger, Ravi acknowledged there were problems but said “these could be resolved through talks”.

He also said there was a need to redefine the parameter of safety and the regulatory body, Directorate General of Civil Aviation, would be restructured.

Terming the civil aviation as a sunrise sector for the national economy, he said every $100 spent brought $325 for the economy and each of the 100 additional jobs created in air transport resulted in 610 new jobs in the economy.