Indian pilots who did not serve notice period to join foreign airlines could lose their licences

NEW DELHI: This is possibly one of the strongest steps taken to prevent poaching of highly trained HR resource that the Indian aviation industry needs, especially as it is all set to expand its wings with new airlines.

Indian commanders who have joined foreign airlines without giving the mandatory six-month notice before quitting their desi employers could now end up losing their licences. The directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) has asked all Indian carriers to give a complete list of such commanders.

“India faces a serious shortage of commanders while we have surplus co-pilots. The country has in all about 1,200-1,500 commanders, of which 277 are expats. We want to phase out all expat pilots. In such a situation, people leaving without giving notice and denying airlines to make alternate arrangements is not acceptable,” said a senior DGCA official.

The situation is worsening in India due to two factors.

Gulf carriers are expanding their fleets manifold and poaching commanders from Indian airlines with impunity. “Indian carriers pay commanders in a range of Rs 5.5 lakh to Rs 8 lakh per month, on which tax at the highest tax slab has to be paid.

All Gulf airlines like Emirates and Etihad, on the other hand, give commanders a tax free salary of Rs 13-14 lakh per month,” said a senior commander.

Hence, the regulator has decided to brush up the old rule or else action would be taken under rule 39A (2) of the Aircraft Act.

The maximum punishment under this provision is cancellation of a pilot's licence.