DGCA relief for Jet pilots

The Directorate General of India (DGCA) has added a clause in the Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR), clarifying that a pilot whose service conditions have been adversely changed by an airline need not give the mandatory six-month notice before leaving.
“In case an air transport undertaking resorts to reduction in the salary/perks or otherwise alters the terms and conditions of the employment to the disadvantage of the employee pilot, this (earlier) CAR shall not be applicable,” the new clause says.
The change in CAR will come as a relief to the 20 Jet Airways pilots, who had resigned in April to join Qatar Airways. The DGCA move comes after captain RPS Panag, one among the 20 pilots, moved the Delhi High Court against DGCA and Jet Airways. The next hearing of the case is on July 29. Under the present CAR, a pilot needs a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the company to join a new carrier.
The DGCA has invited comments from stakeholders by July 30.
In case the change is implemented, Jet will have to issue NOCs to the 20 pilots or a letter from DGCA would act as a NOC.
Jet like many other airlines, is struggling for funds. In order to bring its cost down, the carrier had announced salary cuts and a freeze on various allowances. According to pilots, all these measures violate their employment contract and therefore, the notice period norm should not apply to them.
27/07/09 Parul Chhaparia/mydigiatlfc

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Jul 2009, Jet Airways Jul 2009