After Kozhikode crash, focus on pilots’ health
MUMBAI: Senior and former Air India pilots said the airline must pay attention to the mental and physical health of pilots, especially since there have been pay cuts and greater stress since the outbreak of Covid-19.
Senior airline officials said Air India Express had announced heavy pay cuts for its flying crew on August 5. An office circular dated August 5 cited adverse effects on airlines due to the pandemic and announced pay cuts for Air India Express’s flying crew (pilots and cabin crew). All pilots, along with ground instructors, would have to take a 40% pay cut from their flying allowance which pilots claim constitutes 70% of their salary. The circular also stated cabin crew would take a 20% pay cut.
An Air India Express pilot alleged the pay cuts were unfair, “Unlike Air India, Air India Express has been posting profits for the past four consecutive years. Also, the management is taking a pay cut of around 8% whereas we are burdened with maximum pay cuts,” said the pilot.
Air India Express did not respond to calls or message from this reporter.
Additionally, both Air India and Air India Express have streamlined testing for Covid-19, which has raised anxieties of getting infected, said, pilots. A senior airline pilot said, “Initially, pilots would be tested for Covid two days before flying and after landing at the destination airport. However, it is nearly two weeks since the airline has stopped conducting post-flight Covid tests, which is a cause of worry.”
An Air India spokesperson said, “We are adhering to all the laid down protocols required to protect the safety of our crew members. We are only streamlining the procedure. Our crew still have the option of getting the test done whenever they feel they have the symptoms on return.”
An official from Air India said, “According to the new norms, a pilot can be tested after landing only if he is symptomatic. But there are many cases where a person with no symptoms tests positive for the virus . Every pilot flying during this phase has this stress of carrying the virus home.”
All pilots spoke to HT requesting anonymity since they are not authorised to speak to the media.