Pilot exodus hits Global Vectra

Mumbai: Offshore helicopter company Global Vectra Helicorp India’s largest offshore air logistics provider is flying through rough weather.
More than 30% of the pilots on the company’s rolls have walked out in the past four months to join a rival startup. Among those who quit are senior pilots and engineers, including the chief pilot and chief engineer and technicians.
The number of ‘aircraft on ground’ incidents have gone up substantially because of the shortage of pilots for which Global Vectra has to pay liquidated damages to the oil companies.
Responding to questions on the situation, the Global Vectra CEO Allan Brown said, “… It is quite natural that crew members and engineers would want to look at more lucrative alternatives. We wish them well. However, we have taken care that our clients are not facing a problem due of this because we serve our clients with complete commitment. We have recruited some more competent personnel in our crews, which is taking care of the situation.”
Helicopter pilots and engineers, a rare commodity in India, are even more difficult to find now because of a boom in the oil industry. Global Vectra which has grown rapidly to a fleet of 22 helicopters had about 54 pilots on its rolls, of which about 17 have quit.
Getting foreign pilots to fill the gap is a long process that involves elaborate clearances from the Indian regulatory authorities.
23/11/07 Cuckoo Paul/Economic Times