515 posts of ATCOs lying vacant; process to fill 450 underway

A total of 515 posts of air traffic controllers are lying vacant in the country for which recruitment process is on to fill around 450 vacancies by June, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said today.

"As on date, a total of 515 posts of ATCOs are vacant of which one is of General Manager, 47 of Joint General Manager and Deputy General Managers, 213 of Managers, three of Assistant Managers and 251 posts are of Junior executives," Patel informed Rajya Sabha in a written reply.

He said that recruitment process was in progress to fill the vacancies. Promotional vacancies were being filled by holding Departmental Promotional Committees regularly. Apart from it, 112 posts of Manager (ATC) and 338 posts of Junior Engineer (ATC) were being filled through direct recruitment.

"The process would be completed by June 30 this year," Patel said.

The Civil Aviation Minister also apprised the House that the decision of his ministry to upgrade to first class the tickets of former ministers, secretaries and their family members would not put a burden on cash-strapped Air India.

"Upgradation facility was not going to increase any burden on Air India or other agencies as it would be extended only if vacant seats were available," he said.