Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Pilots Association Raises Concerns Over VVIP Operations Of Air India

Raising concern over the handling of VVIP operations at Air India by one of its executive directors despite his alleged involvement in a near mid-air crash of a former Prime Minister's aircraft, the airline's pilots body, ICPA, has sought immediate action from the government in this regard.

The Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA), in a letter to Minister of State in the PMO Jitender Singh, has alleged that a court case was pending against Air India Executive Director Arvind Khatpalia, when he appeared for an interview for the top job in the national flier's Operations department.

The copy of the  letter has also been marked to National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

"We have come to know that Arvind Khatpalia was the Executive Commander on the VVIP flight carrying the then Prime Minister. In spite of seriously endangering the safety of Air India One, Khatpalia continues to function as Executive Director for operations," the ICPA said in the letter.

ICPA is the pilots union of erstwhile Indian airlines. It claims representation of nearly 800 pilots in Air India.

On November 11, 2007, the Pilot-in-Command of Air India One--the official aircraft for VVIPs, which was flying then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, reportedly forgot to lower the landing gear as required. The crew did so only after being alerted by the Moscow Air Traffic Control and warning signs in the cockpit.
24/10/16 PTI/NDTV
To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

0 comments:

Post a Comment