Air India prefers to hire foreigners, Indian pilots’ union complains

Mumbai: One of the two pilots’ unions in Air India has accused the airline of intentionally ignoring training of Indian pilots to continue the services of expatriate pilots. The Indian Pilots’ Guild (IPG) reported the matter to civil aviation minister, Vayalar Ravi and union labour minister, Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday.
The union alleged the airline has been portraying a fake shortage of senior commanders to continue the services of expatriate pilots.
“We strongly suspect some officials have a vested financial interest in the continued employment of foreign pilots through recruitment agencies based on foreign shores,” said Jeetendra Awhad, president, IPG. “The training of many Indian pilots has stopped,” he added.
The union also raised safety concerns owing to the crossover of some Indian Airline pilots to Air India post the merger.
17/02/11 Soubhik Mitra/Hindustan Times

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Categories: Air India Feb 2011, Foreign Feb 2011