Aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation has almost halved the number of flight operations inspectors and relieved 33 out of 67 flight operations inspectors (FOI). The inspectors conduct basic aviation safety tasks of assessments and certification of aircraft operations and pilots.
On Tuesday, the DGCA Deputy Director Administration VK Gupta issued orders relieving 33 FOIs after they completed their contracts.
This number included 15 working at DGCA headquarters in Delhi, eight from the north region, four from the western region, and six from the DGCA Bengaluru office. The contracts of 34 others were extended till September 30, 2020.
The development sparked speculation that it was a cost-cutting measure. “Our workload has reduced
drastically as the aviation sector in India has been severely affected by the pandemic,” said a senior pilot who was among those relieved. “The international flights are yet to restart, and domestic operations are at 45 per cent capacity. They can always get pilots on deputation from airlines at a much cheaper cost.”
A senior DGCA official, however, denied that saving costs was one of the factors. “No. There are multiple reasons – age, medical fitness, assessment etc. We will fill the posts with better people soon.”
02/07/20 Satish Nadagaonkat, Yogesh Naik/Mumbai Mirror
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On Tuesday, the DGCA Deputy Director Administration VK Gupta issued orders relieving 33 FOIs after they completed their contracts.
This number included 15 working at DGCA headquarters in Delhi, eight from the north region, four from the western region, and six from the DGCA Bengaluru office. The contracts of 34 others were extended till September 30, 2020.
The development sparked speculation that it was a cost-cutting measure. “Our workload has reduced
drastically as the aviation sector in India has been severely affected by the pandemic,” said a senior pilot who was among those relieved. “The international flights are yet to restart, and domestic operations are at 45 per cent capacity. They can always get pilots on deputation from airlines at a much cheaper cost.”
A senior DGCA official, however, denied that saving costs was one of the factors. “No. There are multiple reasons – age, medical fitness, assessment etc. We will fill the posts with better people soon.”
02/07/20 Satish Nadagaonkat, Yogesh Naik/Mumbai Mirror
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