The Hindu Business Line : Retirement age of pilots may go up

THE Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is considering raising the retirement age of commercial pilots by one year from the existing 61 years, the Minister for Civil Aviation, Mr Praful Patel, said here on Wednesday.

"The new DGCA guidelines are expected (to come out) shortly," the Minister said. The DGCA move could see at least another 100 commanders being made available to domestic airlines. At the moment airlines are being forced to employ foreign pilots to make up the shortfall. It was only earlier this year that the DGCA had increased the retirement age of pilots to 60.

AI aircraft acquisition: Commenting on the status of the Air India's 68 aircraft fleet acquisition proposal, Mr Patel said that a note seeking approval of the Union Cabinet for the purchase had already been moved. "The proposal should be taken up by the Union Cabinet within the next 10 days or by the end of the month," the Minister said.

Putting at rest the controversy on who would operate the leased Airbus A-319 aircraft, Mr Patel said that the first batch of aircraft would be operated by Indian Airlines. "The airline will phase out the Boeing 737 aircraft from March next year. Alliance Air, the 100 per cent subsidiary of the airline, will continue to operate the ATR aircraft," the Minister said. At present, Alliance Air operates the Boeing 737 aircraft.

Traffic congestion: Asked on steps being taken to ease traffic congestion at metro airports, Mr Patel said that the Government is looking to employ more Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) and revamp ATC procedures. "By March next year, we hope to have the cross-runway in Mumbai operational to allow aircraft to take-off," the Minister said.

Besides, the DGCA was also looking to make it mandatory for airlines to train their crew to operate flights on days when visibility is low over an airport and the pilot has to land the aircraft using highly accurate guidance system. "This is something that will happen over a period of time," the Minister added.

Asked whether the Government was planning to take any action against Air Sahara for inconvenience caused to passengers and airlines due to one of its aircraft being stuck at Mumbai airport, the Minister merely said he had been informed that Airports Authority of India (AAI) was planning to take some action.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
No plans to connect more cities now: American Airlines

Retirement age of pilots may go up

Infotech centre for Airbus

CSL pays Rs 8.33-cr dividend; foresees high value orders

CCT clears 3,000 import boxes

Navigation body meet held in Kochi

Paradip port: Minister for speedy implementation of connectivity projects

Logistics companies ride the investor wave

Hitting a Century