Blow to Air India, 30 senior Dreamliner pilots resign

Air India, the cash-strapped state-run carrier, is in fresh trouble. Thirty of its senior Boeing 787 Dreamliner pilots have quit in quick succession, leaving the national carrier to grapple with a severe human resource crunch. The pilots who have called it quits were senior co-pilots with 4,000 hours of flying experience on an average. A senior captain with Air India told the Hindustan Times that the opportunities of career growth in the state-run airline are limited and with their flying experience, these co-pilots can join as captains in private airlines. Air India, which has been coping with a severe financial crunch and has been running on government bailout funds, had spent Rs 15 crore on training these pilots on Boeing 787 Dreamliners, but without any bond or contractual obligation, the report added. Two pilots from the airline joined SpiceJet on July 29, the HT report said. The quick resignation of one-fourth of its total strength of 120 co-pilots on the 787 fleet will force the airline to fast-track its training to ensure the scenario does not have any effect on its operations. The pilots in question are currently serving their six-month notice period with Air India. However, all eyes are on Air India's new CMD Ashwani Lohani on how he addresses the crisis. BT Online