AI crew’s airport passes expire, operations hit

New Delhi: The shortage of cabin crew affected the operations of Air India flights at Delhi airport yet again, with several flights being delayed over the past three days. The problem started as the renewal of the airport entry passes (AEP) of over 50 contractual crew members by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has been delayed.
According to officials, 10 flights were combined on Sunday, while seven flights had to be combined on Monday.
Air India’s regional subsidiary, Alliance Air, has a fleet of 11 small aircraft with a capacity to seat not more than 70 passengers. On Monday, a flight each to Dubai, Bhubaneswar Kolkata, Bangalore and Patna and two flights to Mumbai had to be combined with other flights operating on wide-bodied aircraft.
An Air India spokesperson said the renewal of the AEPs was delayed “because of Diwali holidays”. Airline sources said the issuance of the BCAS passes was delayed because the contracts of these employees had expired.
01/11/10 Geeta Gupta/Indian Express

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Categories: Air India Nov 2011