Mumbai
8/12/2023
According to the latest data released, domestic airlines have carried a staggering 1190.62 lakhs of passengers from January to August 2023, marking an exceptional growth rate of 38.27per cent when compared to the same period in the previous year, read the Ministry of Civil Aviation press release.
Jyotiraditya M Scindia, Union Minister of Civil Aviation and Steel, expressed his appreciation for the sector's growth.
Mr.Prateek Mathur
He highlighted that this consistent expansion is a testament to the combined efforts of airlines, airports, and the Ministry of Civil Aviation in cultivating a secure, efficient, and customer-centric aviation ecosystem, read the press release.
Scindia said, “This consistent growth is a testament to the collective efforts of airlines, airports, and the Ministry of Civil Aviation in fostering a safe, efficient, and customer-centric aviation ecosystem. The aviation industry remains committed to ensuring passenger safety and comfort while adapting to evolving travel demands and regulations. As air travel continues to recover, domestic airlines are poised to play a pivotal role in facilitating economic growth and connectivity across India”.
On the other hand, Pilots who are flying these commercial airlines has their different set of issues, On request to be anonymous, First officer of one of the leading domestic airline which is merged with Air India has told us that since April 2020 the Pilots has been put to sharpest salary cuts in the Airline Industry and actually had been receiving salary not amounting more than Rs. 60000-90000 per month after deductions. He further explained that he thought to quit his airline and wanted to go abroad for job where he was selected but then his airline enforced Bond money recovery of Rs.35 Lakh. He informed that his friends has paid these bond amounts and only on receipt of this payment, their respective airlines released them and gave all the necessary documents required to join other foreign airline. He further said that he gathered his courage and contacted Mr.Prateek Mathur , leading Aviation lawyer who is also known as "The Strategist" by many senior officers of Leading airlines in India.
Mr.Mathur informed us that, when this pilot approached him, he asked him to gather all the employment related details, pull out all correspondences and payslips issued by his airline and after month of struggle they were able to start the legal fight against the Airline. Later, Mr.Mathur filed Writ Petition in Karnataka High Court on behalf of this pilot, where DGCA and airline were respondents. A quick settlement talks happened between the Pilot (under guidance of Mr.Mathur) and Airline which lead to issuance of relevant documents to Pilot with waiver off bond amount. The Pilot said he was ready to face any consequences of the proceedings but did not want to pay bond which is illegal and after not receiving full salary as promised by the airline.
Mr.Mathur further conveyed that he and his associate partners represent around 50+ pilots in ongoing matters all over the India and these success stories are now part of his evergrowing aviation specialty law firm which has head office in Mumbai and currently has 8 offices in All over India. Mr.Mathur is amongst few legal experts who deals exclusively for Pilots in Indian Aviation Industry.
In a separate interview to leading news daily Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said - I think if an airline is investing in training people, then it's quite common practice that there is some sort of bond with the organization and if someone leaves before the agreed period, there is a compensatory mechanism for the airline that has invested. This is quite different when the pilot has been already trained by someone else and you pick up because you have a desperate need because you have not prepared or invested in increasing capability,” Wilson said when asked if there should be a notice period for pilots.
Currently the notice period CAR issued by DGCA is pending under challenge before Delhi High Court which has stayed its implementation- said Mr.Mathur. He suggested all the pilots who are being forced to sign these bonds of airline should unify under one umbrella and give joint representation to DGCA to consider the matter in mutual interest of Airline and Pilots.
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