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A-I plane deliveries to Afghanistan grounded

Rumi Dutta

The Centre's plan to gift three A300 aircraft from Air-India's fleet to Afghanistan's flag carrier, Ariana Airlines, as a part of India's contribution to rebuilding the war-torn nation has hit a roadblock with A-I pilots and engineers refusing to move to Afghanistan.

The three aircraft that were to join the Ariana Airlines fleet were to be accompanied with pilots, aircraft engineers and technicians to ensure their smooth induction into Ariana Airlines.

Confirming the development, captain C S Randhawa, general secretary, Indian Pilots' Guild, said, "Keeping in mind the hostile environment in Afghanistan and also knowing that many places are mined, the pilots are not willing to go or be based there. Besides, we are concerned about the open announcements made by the terrorist groups that they are specifically targeting the Indians. We have already written a letter to the managing director of Air-India regarding the issue."

Moreover, Ariana Airlines' aircraft would be registered in Afghanistan and, hence, would be flying over Pakistan which is again a cause of concern, he added. "Though we appreciate the government's decision to gift the aircraft, we would further appreciate if the aircraft go without Indian pilots," Randhawa added.

An A-I pilot said, "The first officers who now fly the A300s are not willing to operate or be based in Kabul. Besides their lives being at risk, this may curb future career opportunities. Moreover, the pilots in these aircraft would prefer graduating to a higher category of aircraft."

But an Air-India spokesperson categorically denied the development, and said, "This is not true. A formal proposal has yet to be made to the pilots and the engineers. Also, the Memorandum of Understanding with Ariana is yet to be signed."

As an alternative, the Centre is also said to be weighing the option of making Delhi or Amritsar the technical support base from which these aircraft would operate. With war cloud looming large, Delhi may emerge as the preferred option.

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