Air India faces turbulence again as 33 more pilots quit

The government-owned, loss-making Air India is once again facing attrition as 33 pilots have left the airline this year.

Some of them deserted the national carrier and joined other airlines without even tendering their resignations, notwithstanding the strict rules on bond liabilities.

From January to October this year, 14 pilots have left from the Delhi range of Air India, eight from Chennai, six from Mumbai and five from the Kolkata range.

Between September and October, 11 pilots have called it quits. Most of the pilots who have either resigned or are seeking retirement are those who fly A-320, B-787 and A-330 aircraft. Air India is already facing a shortage of pilots, which the airline has mentioned in a recent communique to the directorate general of civil aviation. "All pilots who are leaving have to serve a notice period. If anyone leaves before notice period, action will be taken," Air India executive director, public relations, Anil Mehta told dna.

Mehta did not reveal the reason for the consistent attrition. According to sources, pilots leaving Air India and joining other airlines without even serving notice period is nothing new. As per current norms, pilots who do not serve notice period or breach bond liabilities can be terminated from service. Many insiders blame 'bad administration' for such 'unprofessional actions.'

Attrition has not only increased pressure on serving pilots but has also affected the efficiency of the airline. Some serving pilots also take advantage of the 'malfunctioning administration' and work much less than the required flying hours. "The replacement of a pilot on a scheduled flight is not only too costly but often results in onboard delay and indiscipline," said an Air India insider.

The problem was even noticed by aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju, who, in August this year, directed Air India to function in a more 'disciplined and strict manner.'

"...there are a number of issues of absenteeism, indiscipline...the delay in flights due to late coming of cockpit or cabin crew is not acceptable and should be firmly dealt with," the minister wrote in a note to the airline.

Interestingly, last month, Air India also found that 102 of its pilots flying the Boeing fleet have been flying with lapsed licences. The airline subsequently wrote to DGCA saying, "...keeping in view overall shortage of pilots...we request you to view the lapse sympathetically..."