Domestic carriers’ demand to extend mandatory notice period for pilots to one year opposed

The Indian chapter of the International Federation of Airlines Pilots Association (IFALPA) has opposed the demand of domestic carriers to extend mandatory notice period for pilots to one year from six months at present while urging the regulator not to give precedence to “commercial interests” over flight safety.

In a letter to the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), ALPA India President Sam Thomas also demanded that that the views of the pilots, who are the largest stakeholders in the aviation industry, should also be part of any deliberations for formulating various rules.

“It may be recalled that various airline pilot unions had written to the DGCA earlier objecting to the civil aviation regulator for a six-month notice period which was clearly unfair, unjust and devoid of rational thinking.

“The pilots being the largest stake holders are not being consulted on important rules like FDTL (fight and duty time limitation) and notice periods. This is blatantly unfair and against all principles of natural justice,” Thomas said in the letter.

ALPA India is a member associate of IFALPA and claims representation of pilots from across airlines.

The copy of the letter have also been marked to the Prime Minister’s Office and Ministry of Civil Aviation.

“It would be pertinent to note that all countries, including Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, follow this procedure which is a globally accepted norm,” it said.

With domestic airlines embarking on ambitious expansion plans, the demand for pilots and cabin crew across various levels is on the rise.

Besides, according to a KPMG-FICCI survey, the aviation sector would need close to 9,000 pilots in the next two years.

Currently, there are a little over 5,000 commercial pilots.

Against this backdrop, various airlines, including IndiGo and Jet Airways, under the banner of Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) are pitching for increasing the mandatory notice period for pilots to one year from six months.

Reminding the regulator that that despite several requests by pilot unions for inclusive discussions, it has been “unilaterally” forming rules and promulgating them, ALPA India said, “We once again request you through this letter to give flight safety the utmost priority and not commercial interest, while formulating rules for crew.”

Alleging that the pilots body has “reason” to believe that the airlines under the FIA have significantly influenced various DGCA decisions, the letter said, “the procedure of calling for public comments on the Web site is clearly an eyewash and done with an intent to show compliance of mandatory rules prior to their promulgation.”

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