New flying norms on: AI

National carrier Air India (AI) has said the changes in flight operation procedures introduced by it recently fully complied with all operating standards and did not compromise with air safety in any way.

National carrier Air India (AI) has said the changes in flight operation procedures introduced by it recently fully complied with all operating standards and did not compromise with air safety in any way.

HT Image

The AI statement follows an HT report on July 15 on AI introducing a new operating procedure, which was opposed by the Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA), the union of former Indian Airlines pilots.

ICPA, however, sent a notice stating that the report was based on unverified information.

It added that "the management of Air India has not yet taken an official decision on the issue" and that "none of the airline's management pilots had started following the new procedure".

The HT story was based on a circular issued by AI's operations department on May 20 (a copy of which is with HT) and ICPA Directive No. 3 dated June 5, 2013, which clearly directed members not to follow the procedure recommended by the airline.