Here's Rs 10,000 to come on time: Air India offers incentive to crew on Haj flights

In a bid to ensure flights during Haj operate on time, Air India has announced a Rs 10,000 initiative for crew members who report to duty on time and take limited leave during the pilgrimage season.

“In order to improve the availability of the crew and as a recognition to cabin crew who fly to the optimum it has been decided to give a one-time Haj incentive of Rs 10,000 to all those cabin crew who would be available and regular in their flying duties,” Air India chairman Rohit Nandan wrote in a letter to cabin crew, reports Business Standard .

The initiative has, expectedly, been welcomed by travellers.

In an interview with the Mid Day , Ataur Rahman, CEO of the Haj Committee, which facilitates the pilgrimage for Indians, said that it would aid smoother operations.

A shortage of cabin crew has been blamed for multiple flight delays in the cash-strapped national carrier lately.

An internal audit done by the airline had revealed that a delay in the crew turning up for duty was one of the biggest reasons for the airline failing to meet its schedules, reported the Indian Express .

The report noted:

“According to an official, on a national scale, it is estimated that more than 50 per cent of the airline’s cabin crew members across stations do not report to duty as scheduled, leading to inordinate flight delays. Most employees place requests for change in duties once rosters are made, disrupting firmed schedules.”

Recently, 800 cabin crew was hired but many of them are still undergoing training and hence unavailable for flight duties, the  Business Standard  said.

Air India plans to operate 230 special Haj flights to Jeddah from seven cities - Delhi, Srinagar, Mumbai, Kochi, Hyderabad, Panaji and Nagpur this year.

With inputs from PTI.