Ajit says safety paramount; underplays pilots 'fatigue' claim

"The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) very strictly enforces the rules on flight duty time limitation. So there is no question of stressing any pilot. No chance will be taken as far as safety is concerned," he told reporters here.

Singh, who was on a two-day maiden visit to the city since he took over as the Aviation Minister last December, reviewed the progress of various airport development projects underway in Maharashtra with Chief Minister Prithiviraj Chavan, including the on-going modernisation of the Mumbai Airport as well as the proposed airport in Navi Mumbai.

Last week, executive pilots of the national carrier claimed they had shot off a letter to Singh, stating that they could not maintain the truncated international flight schedules for too long as they were fatigued and did not want to jeopardise lives of passengers and crew.

However, Singh denied receiving any such official letter and said, "there was an unsigned letter and we really don't know who wrote it."

As to what was the rationale behind not having a dialogue with the striking pilots but instead hiring expats who are paid two to 2-3 more than local pilots, he said, "we have not decided whether expats are to be hired or who to be trained. The Air India management is looking at it."

He maintained that Air India is making a new business plan, which will stipulate how many pilots are required, and said requirement will also be based on the norms laid down by the civil aviation regulator. (more)