Wadia-group run GoAir has 19 Airbus A320 planes and operates around 140 daily flights
Wadia-group run GoAir has 19 Airbus A320 planes and operates around 140 daily flights. Owing to a shortage the airline in January cancelled leaves of all its pilots.
Pilots however can avail a sick leave. Also for last few months pilots are being given a daily duty roster while earlier pilots knew their duty schedule for ten days.
"Thirty five pilots have resigned largely because of delays in command and upgrade training. There is a shortage of instructors and examiners (senior training captains) in the airline and available pilot strength is deployed for operations instead of training," an airline source said.
The airline has about 200 pilots on its rolls. A majority of those who resigned are joining IndiGo and Vistara. Pilots have six months notice period and will be leaving the airline in due course.
GoAir spokesperson declined comment on the issue. However sources said the airline is seeking instructors from Airbus and also planning to hire foreign pilots to meet the shortage.
GoAir has 72 Airbus A320neo on order which are expected to be delivered from next year. The airline was due to induct its 20th Airbus A320 plane but sold it to an US airline instead of inducting in fleet.
GoAir management had said the decision to sell the plane was taken keeping in focus long term profitability.