Air India’s Chief Operating Officer resigns

Air India’s Chief Operating Officer Capt Gustav Baldauf resigned today, days after being served a show-cause notice over his reported remarks about political interference in the airline’s day-to-day affairs.

Capt Baldauf, who was served the notice on Wednesday, put in his papers this morning, an airline spokesperson told PTI. The Austrian national, who earlier worked in senior capacities in several airlines including Jet Airways and Austrian Airlines, was asked to explain his statements that it was a difficult environment to work as the government played “too prominent a role in the (airline’s) operations.”

“When you call someone from outside, let him work. The government should control but let him work. It should not be involved in day-to-day operations,” Baldauf was quoted as saying.

Following the remarks which the airline had taken serious note of, he had a meeting with the Civil Aviation Minister, Mr Vayalar Ravi where the issue was understood to have figured.

Capt Baldauf had also expressed annoyance at the removal of Capt Pawan Arora as the COO of Air India Express, saying it would affect the turnaround plan of the ailing national carrier.

Capt Baldauf was appointed at an annual salary package of Rs 3 crore with the mandate to implement Air India’s turnaround plan.

Taking a tough line, the Civil Aviation Minister has made it clear that the Ministry would evaluate the performance of Air India’s top management by carrying out their performance review on a regular basis.

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