Cut notice period, let us go: Air India pilots

Air India pilots, who resigned from the airline citing long delay in salaries and unfavourable working conditions, have urged the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to relax its notice period. The pilots also contended that working in such unhappy conditions is not only stressful but also dangerous for the safety of flyers. On June 14, the Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) wrote to the DGCA apprising them of their hardships and seeking leniency in their notice period.

“We request you to kindly issue a dispensation on 6 months notice period to all the pilots of the Air India. This should be done at the earliest as pilots and their families are undergoing immense distress and financial hardship,” the letter says.

There are 850 pilots working with Air India out of which 600 are members of ICPA. These pilots get paid on hourly basis in the form of performance linked incentive (PLI) which comprises 60% of their salaries. The pilots have not received their PLI since March. “Tired of this, six pilots resigned and 50 are on their way out. We are stuck for this six months notice period clause,” said a member of ICPA.

The pilots also said that working under such conditions is taking a toll on their mental health. “This kind of victimisation could have direct impact on the nature of job we do,” wrote the ICPA.