AI to depend on expatriate pilots for next 2 yrs
Kochi,
Nov
20:
Stating
that
pilot
shortage
was
hampering
Air
India's
performance,
its
CMD
V
Thulasidas
today
said
the
airline
will
have
to
depend
on
expatriate
pilots
for
the
next
two
to
three
years
to
tide
over
the
shortage.
''Even if we have to spend more to get pilots from overseas, we will do it. That is the only way out for the next two to three years,'' Mr Thulasidas said at a press conference here.
Hiring of overseas pilots as commanders had become necessary as young pilots getting licences were qualified to fly as co-pilots only. At least five to six years' flying experience was necessary before they could be made commanders, he said.
''The growth in the sector is explosive and enough pilots are not available. Even when we recruit expatriates, we cannot get enough of them.'' At the same time, regulatory provisions were becoming stricter by the day, he said.
Apart from shortage of staff, old fleet was another ''drawback'' faced by the airline. However, this was being addressed with the acquisition of 111 new aircraft both for domestic and international operations, he added.
UNI