Air India turns poaching ground

Air India is emerging as the poaching ground for foreign airlines looking for pilots, thanks to delays and cuts in salaries, besides the chaos due to poor management decisions of the national carrier.

At least four pilots of Air India have joined airlines from the Gulf region in the last three months, sources said. Another five pilots have tendered their resignation and will be joining the foreign airlines next month.

According to the sources, the poaching airlines have been getting in touch with the pilots offering them high and tax-free remuneration. The pilots are handed business class air tickets and luxurious stay at their hub for three days where they are asked to give stimulator and other tests, apart from being briefed about their airlines.

“We are being told just to resign from Air India. Even if there is any problem during our relieving by our management, our prospective employer takes care of it,” a pilot said.

According to sources, these job offers are coming as an opportunity for the pilots especially in the scenario when many of them have not received their salaries since June. “Also, the Air India management is now removing the incentives and other components of the salary, as recommended by the Dharmadhikari committee. The offers by the airlines from the Gulf is very tempting, as they are giving around 50-60 per cent increase,” said another pilot.

“The poaching airlines are offering increments every year, which has not been the case with Air India, where there has been no increment in the last five years,” the pilot added.

When contacted, Air India refused to comment on the matter.