AI Chief Training Officer's flying licence withheld

New Delhi: Adding to the woes of Air India concerning appointments, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has withheld the Foreign Aircrew Temporary Authorisation (FATA) licence of Stephen Sukumar, asking for papers supporting his flying hours' claim.
Sukumar is the Chief Training Officer of the government carrier and his appointment is being reviewed by a two-member committee formed by the airline board. “The DGCA has withheld the FATA licence of Stephen Sukumar and asked for papers supporting his flying and training hour claims,” said a civil aviation ministry official seeking anonymity. The carrier, however, has termed all this unfortunate and hampering the turnaround plan of the carrier.
“Such unnecessary issues will only impact the turnaround plan of the airline. Instead of focusing on revamping the airline, the professional guys are made to run to various organisations and committees for one reason or the other,” said a top Air India executive.
He said that Sukumar had informed the DGCA that his papers were with his earlier organisation. “Sukumar is in the process of getting his papers from his former company and will submit it to the DGCA,” said the executive.
15/02/11 Mihir Mishra/Business Standard

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Categories: Air India Feb 2011