Indian pilots plan to set up apex lobby for their demands

Mumbai: At least three groups of airline pilots are looking to form an umbrella organization in three months to lobby for their demands.
Representatives of the Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association (ICPA), the Indian Pilots’ Guild (IPG) and the Society for Welfare of Indian Pilots (SWIP) last week met Nasim Zaidi, director general of civil aviation (DGCA), the aviation regulator, to apprise him of the development.
IPG and ICPA have pilots of National Aviation Co. of India Ltd that runs Air India as members. SWIP is an association of pilots working with Jet Airways (India) Ltd.
“Apart from ICPA, IPG and SWIP, a new pilot association which is in the offing at Kingfisher Airlines will also join the umbrella body,” said a pilot who attended the meeting and is involved with forming the proposed apex body.
“DGCA had called for an informal meeting with pilots and we apprised (him) about the issues faced by pilots,” said another pilot with a state-owned airline, who was also at the meeting. Both declined to be identified because they are not authorized to speak about the meeting.
However, a spokesperson for the ministry of civil aviation denied that any such meeting has taken place.
“Certainly, this umbrella body will work as pressure group,” IPCA general secretary R. Otaal said, who also confirmed that the meeting with Zaidi had taken place.
“Besides, we will also focus on training, enhancing safety standing and improving technology,” Otaal said.
Pilots with domestic carriers are disgruntled with a rule that makes changing jobs difficult. Under a 2005 rule, pilots must serve out a six-month notice period if they wish to leave but an airline firm only needs to give a month’s notice.
29/04/09 P.R. Sanjai/Livemint

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Apr 2009