Goodbye, Hello: AI pilots brush up CVs for new jobs

New Delhi: Air India might be contemplating whether to sack all agitating pilots affiliated to the Indian Pilots Guild (IPG), but the pilots have already begun to look beyond the ailing airline. About 25-30 among the agitating IPG pilots have applied for jobs to airlines such as Qatar Airways, Emirates and Etihad.

“Air India does not want us back and even we don’t want to work with it any more. There are enough jobs available for experienced pilots globally,” said one on condition of anonymity.

He said applications have already been made but it may take up to three months for an interview date to be fixed. Of the 424 IPG pilots on strike since 7 May, some 70-80 have flying experience of over 8,000 hours on wide bodied aircraft and can get jobs as commanders with Gulf-based airlines in the next few months. Even CPL (commercial pilot licence) holders - who work as First Officers - have begun to look elsewhere for jobs.

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[caption id=“attachment_341990” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“The only issue they may face while working for Gulf-based carriers is shifting base from India, which many now seem resigned to. AFP”]  [/caption]

The only issue they may face while working for Gulf-based carriers is shifting base from India, which many now seem resigned to.

Meanwhile, according to a report in The Hindu Business Line, Air India’s Chairman and Managing Director Rohit Nandan is expected back from Beijing on Wednesday and the process of terminating the 324-and-odd pilots should begin now, in batches. Earlier this week, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh had indicated that the agitating pilots may be terminated but the final decision would rest with the AI management.

But a CNN-IBN report said on Tuesday that the Prime Minister’s Office wants the ministry to sort out the ongoing crisis at Air India “amicably” and was not in favour of sacking the striking pilots.

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Air India has meanwhile already advertised for hiring new pilots on a five-year contract. Till recently, it had been hiring on a permanent basis. The ad invites applications from qualified commanders and co-pilots for flying Boeing 747/777/737 planes. Singh had said last week that sacked pilots were free to rejoin the airline and could apply to the advertisement. But the agitating pilots have pointed out that the ad shows that Air India wants to hire them back - since there are no other local qualified 777 or 747 commanders available otherwise - but at stricter terms and remuneration.

Meanwhile, the IPG pilot quoted above dismissed claims by the Air India management that the airline’s wide body pilots were the highest paid in the world with the salary package of a commander totalling up to Rs 7-8 lakh a month. “Air India has about 750 pilots on its rolls and only 7-8 senior trainer commanders get near Rs 8 lakh. It is incorrect to say that we are the highest paid”.

Also, a section of the striking pilots have already moved the Delhi High Court against the non-payment of their salaries for March.