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Ex-pilots may fly A-I planes to Kabul

Rumi Dutta

With Indian pilots reluctant to fly to Afghanistan with the three A300s which are to be gifted to Ariana Airlines from the Air-India's fleet, the Centre is looking at reviving the licenses of retired A-I pilots.

But, as per the Directorate General of Civil Aviation rules, pilots above 60 years are not allowed to fly while the US Federal Aviation Authority allows a pilot to fly up to the age of 62.

Sources in Air-India said, "The Centre is looking at reviving the licenses of retired pilots of A300 aircraft and appointing them on a contract basis as the others are unwilling to accept the offer."

The pilots are not willing to operate from or be based in the war-torn country primarily due to the risk of life. A pilot said, "Besides their lives being at risk, this may curb future career opportunities. The pilots in these aircraft would prefer graduating to a higher category of aircraft."

The Centre is also said to be weighing the option of making Delhi or Amritsar the technical support base from which these aircraft would operate. "With war looming large, Delhi may emerge as the preferred option," sources said.

The issue assumes significance, because, if pilots who fly other types of aircraft are appointed, they have to be trained abroad as there are no A300 simulators in India. This may prove to be expensive for the government. The type of aircraft pilots fly is endorsed in their licenses.

The Indian flag carrier will garner $7 million for the three A300s aircraft if the pact with Ariana Airlines is signed. The Centre will make the payment to Air-India for the three aircraft.

The airline is in the process of finalising the details of the agreement. Also, the final and a formal proposal is yet to be made to the pilots.

The pilots and aircraft engineers and technicians were to be sent to Afghanistan for three-four months to ensure a smooth induction of these aircraft into Ariana's fleet which could be extended if required.

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