Expat pilots: Are they needed?

New Delhi: With cash-strapped Indian airlines running to the government for a bailout, many young pilots in these companies are wondering why expensive expat fliers, whose salary has gone up substantially due to the rupee falling against the dollar, are being retained by the firms in deep financial trouble.
“These expats are a precious drain on our exchequer. With the dollar appreciating, they’re now getting 15-20% more salary,” says an Indian commander. Even in the present turbulent times, a foreign commander can expect to earn roughly Rs 10 lakh a month, compared to the Indian, who will get paid about Rs 6 lakh. Foreign pilots are given other perks too, pushing up their cost to the company. These include five star hotel accommodation and a generous travel allowance that could be as much as $12,000 or Rs 6 lakh a year.
India’s aviation sector has an official headcount of 900 expat pilots. An official of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) says the expats will be phased out by July 31, 2010. But that might be too late. Sources say that Spicejet has not been able to give its young pilots time to reach the mandatory 2,500 flying hours needed to become commanders because expats get to fly more.
So why are airlines hiring expats? They were taken on when Indian commanders were in short supply. Explains Siddhanth Sharma, former CEO, Spicejet: “It would take a co-pilot at least three years to notch up the 2,500 hours needed for commandership. So, expats were the only option then.”
But that’s no longer the case. “Young pilots, currently glutting the market, can be hired and trained to become commanders, while Indian commanders can take the place of expats,” says a senior pilot. “Airlines have also recruited expat co-pilots, which we do not need. Airlines have hired expats recklessly without any planning, leaving our boys in the lurch.”
AI pilots say the airline’s losses can be contained by easing out the expats over the next six months.
26/10/08 Shobha John/Times of India