Air Sahara to benefit from DGCA diktat on poaching

Air Sahara is likely to gain from the recent "pilot poaching row" between the carrier and Air India in the wake of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation's (DGCA) order insisting on pilots' six-month notice period prior to leaving for another airline.

Twelve commercial pilots, who had left Air Sahara in April to join Air India's low-cost carrier "" Air India Express, may rejoin Air Sahara in the wake of new circular issued by DGCA insisting on a six-month notice prior to joining any other airline, DGCA sources said.

In July, these commercial pilots had decided to rejoin Air Sahara, for a package deal. These pilots secured necessary clearances as well, however, their appointments were kept on hold as Air India approached DGCA.

"We are examining the issues regarding these commercial pilots in the light of new circular. The prime objective of this circular is to arrest the act of pilots moving in groups from one airline to another for higher salary packages," they said.

When contacted, Air India officials said they have already communicated on the issue and are awaiting a decision on it.

According to industry sources, the "pilots moving in flock" began after IndiGo Enterprises placed orders for 100 A-320 aircraft with European manufacturer Airbus Industrie.

"IndiGo's ambitious plan would mean vacancy of more than 400 commercial pilots "" commanders and co-pilots," they said.

It has been observed that pilots have been moving in batches from one airline to another, thereby creating an acute shortage to the airline they are leaving and hence, crippling its service.

Alliance Air and Jet Airways have been among the hapless airlines that have experienced this sort of pilot drain.

DGCA sources said the trend of pilots moving in groups and poaching will come to a halt with the introduction of new order, which already vetted by the law ministry.

In its circular, DGCA stated that pilots are required to give a notice period of at least six months to their employer, indicating their intention to leave the job.

However, this may be reduced if the airline employing them provides a 'No Objection Certificate' and accepts their resignation earlier than six months.

It would take more than four months for an airline to replace a trained Pilot-in-Command. Immediate resignation of pilots - especially, in the form of a concerted move - is tantamount to holding the airline to ransom and giving the travellers a harrowing time.