Steps being taken to stop poaching of Air India pilots: Govt

There is a shortage of approximately 180 trained pilots, said Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma

The government has taken steps to prevent poaching of pilots of Air India by its competitors with the national carrier facing a shortage of 180 trained pilots due to resignation and natural attrition, Rajya Sabha was informed today.

"There is a shortage of approximately 180 trained pilots due to resignations/attrition in the recent past and ensuing fleet augmentation," Minister of State for Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma said in reply to a questioning Rajya Sabha.

He said that as many as 173 pilots have resigned from Air India since financial year 2012-13 and the major reason identified for pilots leaving are career progression issues.

"The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has authorised the Civil Aviation Ministry for rationalisation of pay allowances of pilots and periodic review of pay allowances and perks of pilots based on the prevailing market standards.

"This will help in resisting attempts by competing airlines from poaching of pilots on account of lesser pay and perks as compared to industry standards," Sharma said.

The minister also said that the recruitment exercise has been carried out for filling up of 197 posts of pilots and a total of 78 candidates have been appointed as senior trainee pilots on fixed term contract for a period of five years.

The issue of career progression of co-pilots has been addressed through their upgrade training, the minister said, adding pilots are given open access to voice their grievances of day-to-day issues and immediate steps are taken for remedial action.

To another question, the minister said that at present there is no plan to hire foreign pilots in Air India.

Sharma, in reply to another question, said that Air India like many other carriers was facing competition from various Gulf airlines.

"The Civil Aviation Ministry has given intra-Gulf rights exclusively to Air India. Further government also gives due consideration on Air India's views/requests while taking a decision on enhancement of capacity entitlement and priority to Air India while allocating traffic among other Indian carriers," the Minister informed the Rajya Sabha.