No shortage of pilots, says Kingfisher Airlines

The shortage of commanders may be forcing Kingfisher Airlines to ask its pilots to fly more. However, the airline dismisses these reports saying that despite certain cockpit crew leaving the organisation, it still has “adequate number”.
In the last 18 months, about 168 pilots including 72 commanders have quit, sources said, adding “going by the industry standards, there is a shortage of around 47 commanders”. Without giving out the number of pilots who have left, Kingfisher Airlines maintained it had “rationalised its capacity in 2008-09 due to the economic downturn.” This has resulted in a few surplus pilots who left voluntarily to pursue other opportunities.”
Sources said the airline’s present pilot strength was 684, comprising 341 commanders and 351 first officers (co-pilots) to operate a fleet of 53 aircraft. As many as 74 of the co-pilots are currently undergoing training.
Sources claimed that this shortage was being filled by the airline deploying commanders and co-pilots for more flying time, with the result that about 14 of them having already completed 1,000 flying hours, which they have to carry out in one whole year.
04/01/12 PTI/Deccan Chronicle

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Categories: Kingfisher Jan 2011