Regulator rejects plea for action on pilots leaving without serving out a mandatory notice period.
Kingfisher Airlines’ problems aggravated for the third day running, as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) rejected its plea for action against 24 pilots leaving the airline without serving out a notice period. This comes on the heels of the regulator, DGCA, pointing out safety flaws in the airline and its largest lender, SBI, classifying its debt as a non-performing asset.
The airline may, thus, see an exodus of pilots. “How can I take action against pilots who have not been paid salaries? The terms of appointment have been abrogated, as they have not been paid their salaries since October and the Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) does not apply to them,” said DGCA director general E K Bharat Bhusan.
| FULL OF FAULTS? A financial audit of airlines done by the DGCA has raised safety concerns with Kingfisher Airlines and Air India Express, the low-cost carrier of Air India |
| Problems with Kingfisher Airlines: |
| * Cancelled 175 flights in November alone |
| * 20 out of 60 aircraft grounded |
| * Has not paid salaries since October |
| * Spare inventory not maintained |
| * Spare engines not adequate |
| Problems with AI Express: |
| * Lacks staff safety department, including a deputy chief of staff |
| * Does not have its own cadre of pilots |
| * Huge shortage of pilots |
| * Shortage includes instructors, examiners and check pilots |
| Issues pointed out in all the other airlines were not major and were said to have been resolved. The audit of Air India will start next week |
As part of the CAR, any pilot has to serve for a notice period of six months before leaving an airline. But in the case of their terms of appointment not being followed, the pilots can leave without working for any notice period. Getting salary every month is one of the terms.
Kingfisher Airlines had sent a plea to the DGCA, seeking action against the pilots leaving without serving a notice. The rejection of its plea could trigger an exodus of pilots. The airline has seen several staff exits amid its financial crisis.
A Kingfisher Airlines spokesperson refused to comment on the developments.
“None of us wanted to leave and were hopeful of the airline's revival after banks restructured debt. But, we will leave as it does seem to be reviving,” said a pilot with the airline. He said there were opportunities to be pursued in the market.
The DGCA has already asked the airline to come with a detailed plan on financial recovery and safety by Monday. In case of non-compliance, according to the CAR, the regulator can ask the airline to shrink its operations to the level rules deem it safe, and even cancel its licence.
