Windfall for 800 pilots as AI agrees to fixed allowance, even if they fly less

New Delhi: At a time when the aviation sector is in financial doldrums and Air India itself is surviving on government dole, its officials have agreed to guarantee a minimum 72 hours flying allowance to erstwhile Indian Airlines pilots even if they fly lesser number of hours. As many as 800 pilots stand to benefit.
This controversial settlement, which many argue will incentivise less work, translates into an assured monthly flying allowance of about Rs 350,000 to a flight commander and approximately Rs 2 lakh to an average co-pilot. These pilots had demanded parity with Air India pilots who get a fixed flying allowance of 80 hours a month.
Not just that, pilots will get a fixed monthly foreign allowance if they fly to international destinations — $1500 in case of a commander and $1000 for a co-pilot. The earlier rule gave $75 a day which meant that even if a pilot “lay over” an international station for six days a month, the bill would not go beyond $450.
04/12/11 Pranab Dhal Samanta/Indian Express

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Categories: Air India Dec 2011