Two powerful OSD's (officers on special duty) to former Air India (AI) chairman and managing director (CMD) Arvind Jadhav have been removed by the new incumbent.
NK Beri and Sandeep Marwah have been packed off in one of the first orders to be issued by Rohit Nandan. They will now fly like any other pilot.
Beri was appointed OSD despite being probed by the vigilance department of AI for pilferage of liquor bottles from the Prime Minister's flight.
Three close aides of Jadhav have already put in their papers as reported by HT on Tuesday.
"This action by the CMD will win him the confidence of a lot of employees," said Mohan Ranganathan, member of a government committee on aviation safety. "AI was being run by a coterie. People like Beri misused their position for personal gains."
Two unions, de-recognised after the Mangalore crash, are likely to be re-recognised by the management - a step that would further help Nandan win employee confidence.