Air India recruiting pilots from abroad

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Kochi, November 20:: Facing flak following frequent flight disruptions over the past three days, national carrier Air India said it was facing shortage of pilots and was trying to overcome the situation by recruiting them from abroad.

"It is not as if the airline did not take necessary action. But the growth of the aviation sector has been so explosive that the airline was facing shortage and was taking in expatriate pilots," AI Chairman and Managing Director V Thulasidas told reporters.

Many youngsters were getting pilot training from abroad.

But they can be inducted as co-pilots only as they need five to six years of flying experience. Only after that can they be appointed as commanders, Thulasidas said when asked about the drawbacks being faced by the country's premier airline.

"There are strict security regulations in place due to which flight duty time limits of pilots have to be strictly adhered to. If a pilot appears on duty, whether he flies or not, after particular number of hours he has to be given rest before flying. We cannot go against the rules," he said.

On the recent delays at various airports, he said the airlines was analysing the reasons for the delay in several of its flights and will take 'corrective' steps.

Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel had yesterday warned that action would be taken against AI officials responsible for the delay.