It’s not the Hatfields and the McCoys but it’s a feud going on between Air India and its 1,600 pilots. This is the scenario:
Pinched for money, Air India’s owes cash to pilots, employees, vendors, fuel and ground transportation suppliers; they are cutting rates and (safety) corners.
Air India is supposed to be shaping up, but they ignore rules and regulations meant to reduce pilot fatigue. Unsafe practices include changing schedules so often that some pilots refer to the company’s management style as “schedule by wake-up call.”
The Indian Pilot’s Guild sent the Star Alliance a letter exposing Air India’s culture of “coercion and fear” to compel pilots to fly long hours.
Pilots are complaining about being forced to work long hours while Air India ignores safety regulations. They can’t take off when they’re sick, for fear of being penalized, which is of course another safety violation.
After losing a billion dollars last year, Air India has applied to the Indian government for money. India’s aviation regulatory agency uncovering fraudulent pilot training and corruption in aviation administrative circles. In the face of tightening procedures, Air India will have its back against the wall if they’re going to comply with safety regulations.
Meanwhile, Air India is attempting to join the Star Alliance network of 27 airlines.
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