128 pilots resigned from public sector airlines

NEW DELHI: As many as 128 pilots have left Air India, Indian Airlines and Alliance Airways between 2004 and 2006, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

The resignations have been tendered citing reasons like health, education of children, migration to foreign countries etc and not necessarily due to less salary, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Praful Patel said in a written reply.

On pay package, public sector airlines endeavour to provide a package in line with the industry standards, he said.

Keeping the current market trends in background, he said Indian Airlines have signed a MoU of settlements with Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) on 18 July, 2006.

The settlement is based on the principle of 'Fly More Earn More' with incentives to pilots who fly more, he said adding that wages of Alliance Air pilots were revised with effect from October 1, 2004, which were further revised in case of ATR Commanders, with effect from, March 2006.

In reply to another question, Patel said presently 10 A-320, one A-300, and one Dornier DO228 Aircraft of Indian Airlines and three B-737 and one ATR-42 aircraft of alliance air have been grounded.

Only one B-737 aircraft operated by Alliance Air is grounded for unscheduled maintenance at Delhi and is awaiting repair kit from M/s, Boeing Company, USA, he said. Remaining aircraft are grounded for want of engines or scheduled maintenance.