The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) is likely to take a call on the ticklish issue of slashing Air India's (AI) wage bill especially for licensed category employees such as pilots, cabin crew and engineers as part of the move to reduce the loss of the national carrier.
According to sources, the proposal plan, drawn up by the ministry of civil aviation, aims to provide a uniform flying allowance for all categories of pilots (commander, captain and first officer) of AI and erstwhile Indian Airlines (IA). The proposal envisages paying a flying allowance uniformly to all pilots for a guaranteed 70 hours a month as per the practice followed by other domestic and international airlines.
Currently, IA pilots who fly on domestic routes are given flying allowance ranging between Rs 2,064 and Rs 5,270 per hour for guaranteed 72 hours with extra flying allowance at the rate of 150 per cent of applicable rates. AI pilots who fly on international routes get the same allowance for a higher minimum guaranteed 80 hours.
03/01/13 Business Today
