Air India has cut the pay of its cockpit and cabin crew by 40 percent while allowance pay has been deducted up to 80 percent.
Paying its employees has become an almost impossible task for aviation sector due to loss faced in the wake of coronavirus pandemic.
On July 21, Air India’s pilots beamed with joy as got their salary for the month of June. However, this happiness didn’t last long as it quickly turned into shock. They have revealed that the pay has been reduced by 60%(40% on salary and 85% on flying allowance)owing to the new wage structure and leave without pay policy.
The pilots also complained of differences in pay cuts announced by the airline for pilors and senior management. They have claimed that the airline management has takna 50 percent cut on just their allowances.
Discontent by the national carrier, a senior pilot was quoted by Hindustan Times as saying: “Other airlines have announced an overall percentage cut on the gross salary. Air India has announced a 40% salary cut for pilots and will also pay allowances for a maximum of 20 hours of flight time instead of 70. With the current situation, when the demand is low and flight operations are restricted, it is impossible to fly for 70 hours. All the top officials are aware of this,”
“Senior management has taken a cut on just arbitrary allowances, which comprises around 20% of their salary, so their cut comes down to just about 3-5%. Deductions have been strategically applied majorly on flying allowances; this move targets only pilots and brings down a pilot’s gross salary by 60-65 % on average,” another pilot said.
A senior pilot also mentioned that they were not only flying to bring back stranded Indians but also to transport necessary personal protection equipment (PPE) and resources during the nationwide lockdown.
“If a pilot gets infected with the virus, he is de-rostered without pay. He has to prove his complete medical fitness before boarding a flight. If a pilot sustains long-term lung damage or neurological or cardiovascular damage as a side effect of Covid-19, he will lose his livelihood,” the pilot added.
Meanwhile, Air India has refused to comment on the matter.
