IAF to release pilots for Air India
09 Apr 2007
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New Delhi: In a surprising development, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has now agreed to release its pilots to serve the civil aviation sector in order to meet the acute shortage being faced by state-owned carriers. According to the new Indian Air Force chief, Air Chief Marshal, Fali Homi Major, the IAF would now release 15 to 20 pilots at regular intervals to join the civil sector.
"We have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Air India whereby we will be releasing 15 to 20 pilots at intervals to be absorbed in the national carrier", he said here.
The move should come as a big relief for Air India, which already faces a shortfall of 118 pilots. Against a requirement of 3,160 pilots, there are 2,940 pilots currently employed, leaving a shortfall of around seven per cent.
According to industry figures, the total number of additional aircraft in the next five years is estimated at 500 for which an additional 5,000 pilots would be required.
