IAF to offer pilots for short-staffed Air-India, Indian Airlines

New Delhi: Seeking greater synergy with civil aviation, the new Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Fali Homi Major has announced that the IAF will release 15 to 20 pilots at regular intervals to serve with national carrier Air-India on deputation.
Currently, Air-India faces a shortfall of 118 pilots, even as the government has plans to merge Air India and Indian Airlines into a single entity.
During the deputation, IAF pilots will be paid salaries in tune with their counterparts in civil aviation. The move is aimed at stemming the large-scale exodus from the force, even while providing exposure to IAF pilots on civil aircraft. “It will be a second career for our pilots and the scheme will commence soon,” Major said. Though the IAF will release fighter, transport and helicopter pilots for Air-India, they will be barred from serving with private airlines. For a while now, the IAF has been resisting efforts by its pilots to leave the force for greener pastures.
Of the estimated 200-300 pilots who sought release, only a handful was allowed to leave.
“Release of pilots will depend on the number available. It can go as high as 30-40 in a year or nothing, and the release of pilots could be made quarterly, half-yearly and yearly depending on the availability,”Major said.
10/04/07 Financial Express