AI virtually shuts doors on striking pilots; to hire 100 new pilots

New Delhi: Air India is going to induct about 100 new pilots in the next few months, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh said today while virtually shutting the doors for striking pilots, asking those sacked to apply afresh.
Indicating that the 101 sacked pilots could be replaced by new ones, Singh said 90 pilots were currently undergoing training and would be available for flying in August.
"We're making sure we have enough resources - pilots and engineers to operate the new flights we have planned," he said in reply to a spate of questions on the month-long pilots' agitation spearheaded by the Indian Pilots Guild (IPG).
The striking pilots questioned the Government's plan. "We have serious doubts about ministry's move (to hire pilots). Whom do they want to benefit? At a time when the company is under severe financial crunch, can these new pilots be afforded at a salary which is double of ours?" Captain Anil Kumar Rao, Joint Secretary of IPG, told reporters after pilots staged silent marches in Delhi and Mumbai.
"Such a move by the ministry can jeopardise fight passenger safety. Hiring foreign pilots without study of their track records could lead \to compromise with safety issue," he alleged.
06/06/12 PTI/ZeeNews

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

Categories: Air India Jun 2012