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Pilots

Air Canada, pilots' union reach tentative agreement to avoid shutdown

Air Canada and the union representing its pilots have come to terms on a labor agreement that is likely to prevent a shutdown of Canada's largest airline. Talks betwen the company and the Air Line Pilots Association produced a tentative, four-year collective agreement, the airline announced in a statement early Sunday. The prospective deal recognises the contributions of the pilots flying for Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge while setting a new framework for company growth. The terms will remain confidential until ratification by union members and approval by the airline's board of directors over the next month, the airline said. The pilots association said its Air Canada Master Executive Council voted to approve the tentative agreement on behalf of more than 5,400 Air Canada pilots. After review and ratification by a majority of members, the deal is expected to generate an additional $1.9 billion for the pilots over the period of the agreement, the union said in a statement. While

Air Canada, pilots' union reach tentative agreement to avoid shutdown
Updated On : 15 Sep 2024 | 2:13 PM IST

Air India fined Rs 99 lakh for operating flight with unqualified pilots

Regulator says incident in July had 'significant safety ramifications'

Air India fined Rs 99 lakh for operating flight with unqualified pilots
Updated On : 24 Aug 2024 | 12:28 AM IST

IndiGo aims to increase women pilots in workforce to over 1,000 in 1 year

IndiGo aims to increase the number of women pilots in its workforce to over 1,000 in the next year as the country's largest airline steers ahead with efforts to boost diversity and inclusivity. The airline, which is expanding its fleet and network, currently, has over 800 women pilots. Sukhjit S Pasricha, Group Chief Human Resources Officer at IndiGo, said the airline is driving inclusiveness in a big way by working in every area, including among engineering and flying staff. "In every work area, we are driving diversity and inclusivity. We have a 360-degree approach to it... we have grown by about 30 per cent in terms of women in engineering overall," he told PTI. According to him, the airline has the highest number of women pilots, which is now at over 800. The airline has around 14 per cent women pilots compared to the global average of 7-9 per cent women pilots in the workforce. "We will cross the number of 1,000 women pilots in one year (by August 2025)," he said. The airli

IndiGo aims to increase women pilots in workforce to over 1,000 in 1 year
Updated On : 15 Aug 2024 | 11:10 PM IST

FIP grouping flags pilot fatigue; urges for revised norms implementation

Raising concerns about pilot fatigue, pilots' grouping FIP has urged the civil aviation ministry to take steps for implementation of revised norms on flight duty and rest period at the earliest. The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP), which has more than 6,000 members, had earlier also written to the civil aviation ministry on the revised CAR (Civil Aviation Requirement) for pilots after DGCA postponed their implementation. The revised CAR related to flight duty time limitation seeks to provide more rest time for pilots amid rising concerns over pilot fatigue. In March, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) decided to postpone its implementation. In a letter to Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu, FIP President CS Randhawa has requested him to direct DGCA to implement the revised CAR at the earliest. "...the action of the DGCA not only endangers pilot safety but also undermines the safety of passengers, which the implementation of the revised CAR could prevent," the

FIP grouping flags pilot fatigue; urges for revised norms implementation
Updated On : 04 Aug 2024 | 10:15 PM IST

Anticipating pilot shortage, Air India to launch its own training school

Air India's initiative marks a departure from the traditional approach of Indian airlines, which have typically partnered with independent flight schools both domestically and internationally

Anticipating pilot shortage, Air India to launch its own training school
Updated On : 18 Jun 2024 | 12:54 PM IST

Sub-Lt Anamika Rajeev becomes Navy's first woman pilot with 'Golden Wings'

Sub-Lieutenant Anamika B Rajeev has become the Indian Navy's first woman helicopter pilot after she received the prestigious "Golden Wings" at the passing-out parade at a naval air station in Tamil Nadu's Arakkonam. In another feat, Lt Jamyang Tsewang, the first commissioned naval officer from Ladakh, also successfully graduated as a qualified helicopter pilot, according to the Indian Navy. Sub-Lieutenant Rajeev and Lt Tsewang are among 21 officers awarded the "Golden Wings" by Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command, at the passing-out parade at INS Rajali, the Navy said on Saturday. The parade on Friday marked the successful culmination of an intensive 22 weeks of training programme encompassing rigorous flying and ground training at the Indian Naval Air Squadron 561, the alma mater of all helicopter pilots of the Indian Navy, it said. "Highlighting Indian Navy's commitment to gender inclusivity and expanding career ...

Sub-Lt Anamika Rajeev becomes Navy's first woman pilot with 'Golden Wings'
Updated On : 08 Jun 2024 | 9:22 PM IST

Germany looking into buying 8 additional Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets

The jets are equipped with advanced sensors and other gear, and nearly impossible to track with radar

Germany looking into buying 8 additional Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets
Updated On : 07 Jun 2024 | 12:36 PM IST

Have stopped hiring pilots as there is sufficient strength: Akasa Air CEO

In September last year, Akasa Air was forced to cancel about 24 daily flights as around 43 pilots abruptly resigned to join rival carriers without serving their mandatory notice periods

Have stopped hiring pilots as there is sufficient strength: Akasa Air CEO
Updated On : 05 Jun 2024 | 6:10 PM IST

Simaero to invest $100 million over five years to train 5,000 pilots

Last month, IndiGo placed an order with Airbus for 30 A350-900 widebody aircraft at a deal size estimated to be between $4-5 billion

Simaero to invest $100 million over five years to train 5,000 pilots
Updated On : 30 May 2024 | 4:53 PM IST

Air India announces salary hike, annual performance bonus for pilots

The new compensation structure, effective April 1, will see first officers and captains receive a monthly salary hike of Rs 5,000, while commanders' pay will be raised by Rs 11,000

Air India announces salary hike, annual performance bonus for pilots
Updated On : 23 May 2024 | 10:22 PM IST

What is in-flight turbulence, when does it become dangerous? Find out here

The death of a British man and injuries impacting dozens of other people aboard a Singapore Airlines flight that hit severe turbulence on Tuesday highlighted the potential dangers of flying through unstable air. The exact cause of the 73-year-old man's death is under investigation. Authorities said he may have suffered a heart attack, though that hasn't been confirmed. Based on witness accounts, the number of injuries and the airliner's sharp descent, experts point to the significant safety hazards that in-flight turbulence poses to airline passengers and crews. While turbulence-related fatalities are quite rare, injuries have piled up over the years. Some meteorologists and aviation analysts note that reports of turbulence encounters also have been increasing and point to the potential impacts that climate change may have on flying conditions. Most incidents of planes hitting bumpy air are minor, however, and airlines have made steady improvements to reduce accident rates from ...

What is in-flight turbulence, when does it become dangerous? Find out here
Updated On : 22 May 2024 | 11:31 AM IST

Air India Express: 85 flights cancelled; Air India to support on 20 routes

If a passenger's flight is cancelled or delayed more than 3 hours, they have the option to either receive a full refund on the flight or reschedule it for a later date without any additional fees

Air India Express: 85 flights cancelled; Air India to support on 20 routes
Updated On : 09 May 2024 | 1:24 PM IST

US strikes deal to boost aviation safety, to not raise pilot retirement age

The bill also requires airplanes to be equipped with 25-hour cockpit recording devices and directs the FAA to deploy advanced airport surface technology to help prevent collisions

US strikes deal to boost aviation safety, to not raise pilot retirement age
Updated On : 29 Apr 2024 | 11:32 AM IST

Spirit Airlines to defer Airbus deliveries, layoff 260 pilots to save cash

A snag with Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbofan (GTF) engines has forced Spirit to ground some of its A320neo aircraft, pinching the company at a time when it is already grappling with a cash crunch

Spirit Airlines to defer Airbus deliveries, layoff 260 pilots to save cash
Updated On : 08 Apr 2024 | 9:02 PM IST

One-third of Air India's staff hired in last two years: CEO & MD Wilson

Vistara airline, which is a 51:49 joint venture of the Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, is in the process of being merged into Air India

One-third of Air India's staff hired in last two years: CEO & MD Wilson
Updated On : 05 Apr 2024 | 6:14 PM IST

Two pilots' unions flag work culture concerns at Tata Group airlines

Two pilots' groupings on Thursday said the problems raised by Vistara pilots are not isolated but indicative of systemic issues across Tata Group aviation entities. In a detailed letter to Tata Group Chairman N Chandrasekaran, the Indian Commercial Pilots' Association (ICPI) and the Indian Pilots' Guild (IPG) urged the group to engage in a constructive dialogue with the pilot community. Tata Group has four airline ventures -- Air India, Air India Express, AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India), and Vistara. IPG represents Air India pilots operating the airlines' wide-body fleet while ICPA represents pilots operating the single aisle aircraft. In recent days, Vistara has been forced to cancel more than 100 flights due to non-availability of pilots who are protesting against pay revision and other issues. "The pilots of Vistara have been steadfast in their advocacy for fixed 70 hours compensation, improved working conditions, and stable roster. "After thorough assessment and consulta

Two pilots' unions flag work culture concerns at Tata Group airlines
Updated On : 04 Apr 2024 | 8:31 PM IST

Pilots body flags deferment of revised duty norms; writes to ministry

The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has raised concerns about aviation regulator DGCA deferring the implementation of the revised flight duty norms for pilots, saying the health of pilots cannot be prejudiced for the commercial benefit of operators. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), on March 26, deferred the implementation of the revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms that were to be effective from June 1. The new framework, which would provide more rest hours for pilots, was proposed amid concerns about pilot fatigue. In a letter dated March 28 to Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, the FIP has flagged concerns about the DGCA decision. "The action of the DGCA not only endangers pilot safety but also undermines the safety of passengers which the implementation of the revised CAR (Civil Aviation Requirements) could prevent. "Furthermore, the health and safety of the pilots cannot be prejudiced for the commercial benefit of the operators," the

Pilots body flags deferment of revised duty norms; writes to ministry
Updated On : 30 Mar 2024 | 12:13 AM IST

Baltimore bridge collapse puts specialised role of pilot under spotlight

The expert pilots who navigate massive ships in and out of Baltimore's port must often manoeuvre with just two feet of clearance from the channel floor and memorise charts, currents and every other possible maritime variable. The highly specialised role -- in which a pilot temporarily takes control of a ship from its regular captain -- is coming under the spotlight this week. Two pilots were at the helm of the cargo ship Dali about 1.25 am Tuesday when it lost power and, minutes later, crashed into a pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing the bridge to collapse and kill six construction workers. While the incident will undoubtedly raise larger questions about ship and port safety protocols, so far there is no indication the pilots on the Dali did anything wrong given the immediate situation they faced. The ship sent out a mayday call, which gave just enough time for authorities to close the bridge to traffic and likely prevented further deaths. The lead pilot also dropped

Baltimore bridge collapse puts specialised role of pilot under spotlight
Updated On : 29 Mar 2024 | 8:38 AM IST

New FDTL rules: Have enough pilots, won't cancel flights, says Akasa CEO

As of February 2024, the cancellation rate at Akasa Air has been 0.30 per cent, which is the lowest among domestic Indian carriers

New FDTL rules: Have enough pilots, won't cancel flights, says Akasa CEO
Updated On : 21 Mar 2024 | 10:45 PM IST

Vistara's ultimatum to pilots: Accept new salary structure by EOD

Pilots to lose slot on 'upgrade sequence list' if they fail to sign contract by Friday

Vistara's ultimatum to pilots: Accept new salary structure by EOD
Updated On : 15 Mar 2024 | 9:52 PM IST