Worried about delayed pay, AI pilots seek to meet CMD

This comes after the pilots were paid 80% of their May salary on Wednesday.

Air India pilots have sought an appointment with Pradeep Singh Kharola, chairman and managing director, Air India, fearing the pattern of a 20-day delay in receiving their May salary will continue. This comes after the pilots were paid 80% of their May salary on Wednesday.

While the other employees received their salaries on June 12, the pilots were paid only 20% of their total salary. (HT FILE)

While the other employees received their salaries on June 12, the pilots were paid only 20% of their total salary.

A senior pilot explained, “Our full salary has been paid to us on the 20th of this month. We are worried of this becoming a routine. Since the divestment is on hold, at least till the completion of the current government’s tenure, we fear that our salaries will be delayed to this extent every month.”

A letter by the airline’s pilot union- Indian Commercial Pilots Union (ICPA) dated June 20 stated that tension among pilots about their salary has increased. “The only intimation we have received about the delay mentioned June 15 as a tentative date for the release of the salary. With each passing day, the level of stress is increasing with financial talks replacing professional talks in the cockpit, which should be a cause of concern,” the letter stated. ICPA said that they are constantly in touch with the management as they aim to meet Kharola as soon as possible.