The panel had suggested certain parameters and

recommended that the AI management fix the pay structure for pilots, cabin crew and engineers, grant them more allowances to bring them on par with the industry norms. In its report, the Dharmadhikari panel also said that the flying staff "are entitled for flying allowances and lay-over subsistence allowance". An important issue raised was to end the difference in the flying allowances for all categories of pilots (Commander, Captain and First Officer) between Air India and erstwhile Indian Airlines. This issue was a major reason for the 58-day long strike by the pilots in May-June last year. The Dharmadhikari Committee had also recommended that PLI should be abolished and replaced by Profit/Productivity Related Pay (PRP) to encourage efficient working of employees. While PRP would be given only after Air India starts making profit, it would be determined on the basis of achievement of some key performance indicators like yield, aircraft utilisation, passenger load factor, on-time performance and revenue achievement. There are also indications that the flying allowances would be uniformly fixed for all pilots for a guaranteed 70 hours a month, in line with the pattern followed by domestic and international airlines. Another proposal relates to the layover allowance for pilots, which is paid to them for stay at a foreign destination between two flights. For cabin crew, the proposal is to give flying allowance at the rate of Rs 250-Rs 1,000 for a minimum 70 hours, while the engineers are proposed to be given emoluments comparable to industry standards, besides an additional component of up to Rs 1.5 lakh.