AI mulling the option of hiring expat co-pilots
Mumbai: Hit by frequent agitations by its unionised pilots, Air India is looking at the option of hiring junior pilots from overseas markets, a move that may trigger policy change as the current regulations do not allow recruitment of expats for that position.
The carrier, which is crippled by the ongoing 55-day-old strike by a section of pilots, has approached some recruitment firms for hiring foreign pilots, say sources familiar with the development.
“Along with hiring domestic co-pilots, which is currently in process, Air India also plans to hire junior expat pilots as well. The move, perhaps, is aimed at preempting agitations in future,” sources told PTI.
The national carrier had last month issued an advertisement inviting applications from qualified commanders and co-pilots for flying its Boeing fleet, following 420 of its pilots, owing allegiance to now-derecognised Indian Pilots Guild, refusing to call off their stir despite repeated appeals by aviation minister Ajit Singh.
01/07/12 Press Trust of India/Business Standard
Mallaya kept lying to his employees with promises of rewards for employess showing dedication and loyalty to kingfisher. Look at these naive but dedicated employees. see what they got for sticking with kingfisher during its bad days-no salary since January.The employees who ditched kingfisher and joined other airlines way back in Jan are getting their salaries regularly but worst-they are making fun of existing employess(and their so called loyalty and dedication).Shame on you Mallaya.You took your dedicated employees on a ride but in the process destroyed their very existance.You are a “KAAL” in their & their familie’s lives.From today I hereby KNIGHT thee vijay the KAALIA.
Present Scenario other Indian airlines are proposing to cutdown expat pilots as a austerity measures to minimise the losses. However Air India is thinking on recruiting expat co-pilots, when dearth of Typerated Co-pilots available in the local market. Really government is trying to help the airline or closedown by this kind of stupid policies. Already the last 5 years milestone in Air india shows that the policies are framed to help the private carriers like Indigo, jet etc. Even government is mulling the policies to favour Private airlines only………
mr mallaya’s kingfisher airlines selected 100+ pilot trainees some 2 years ago and advised them to undergo training with a flying school by name ASA in USA under self financing promising the candidates immediate employment in kingfisher on their return after completion with CPL. The School has collected full payment for flight training from all the trainees and closed shortly leaving all trainees high and dry.My daughter is one among them.many trainees parents borrowed huge sums and still they are in big dept. Mallaya has not bothered to care of all those innocent people. now that the time has come and that he is going to pay for for that cursings from the affected persons.He will be on the streets soon. No doubt about it
Mani