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Hindustan Times
7 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
112 Air India pilots took sick leave 4 days after Ahmedabad crash
At least 112 Air India pilots reported sick four days after the airline's Ahmedabad-Gatwick flight crashed 33 seconds after taking off, killing all but one of the 242 people on board and another 19 people on the ground, the government told Parliament on Thursday. A firefighter stands next to the crashed Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, in Ahmedabad, India, June 13, 2025.(Reuters) On average, Air India — which has an estimated 1,700 pilots — sees close to 50 of them report in sick on a daily basis, a person aware of the matter said, asking not to be named. The government said the airline reported a 'minor increase' in sick leaves after the June 12 crash. 'Air India reported a minor increase in sick leaves reported by pilots across all fleets in the aftermath of the AI-171 accident. On 16.06.202, a total of 112 pilots reported sick, comprising 51 commanders (P1) and 61 first officers (P2),' said minister of state for civil aviation Murlidhar Mohol in a written reply. Also Read | Completed fuel switch inspections, no issues found: Air India He was responding to BJP MP Jai Prakash,whether it is a fact that in the aftermath of the Air India-171 crash, Air India has been experiencing mass sick reporting by its flight crew members; whether the Government has taken remedial measures such as holding post-trauma mental health workshops to mitigate their stress. The airline official cited above added that there had been an increase in pilots reporting they were unwell the day after the incident. 'The spike was very minor in the beginning and it peaked on June 16,' this person added. 'DGCA has already issued a medical circular regarding mental health of flight crews and air traffic controllers (ATCOs) on 22 Feb 2023, which lays down guidelines for operators (scheduled and non-scheduled) and DGCA-empanelled medical examiners,' Mohol said. Also Read | Minor increase in sick leaves by Air India pilots after Ahmedabad crash: Centre He added that the guidelines include 'quick and effective methods to assess mental health that can easily be performed by the DGCA-empanelled medical examiners during the Class 1/2/3 medical examination.' The government has also introduced a standalone, customised training capsule for flight crew and ATCOs to help manage the adverse effects of mental health conditions, it stated, the written reply added. Also Read | AAIB ropes in veteran pilot Captain RS Sandhu in Air India crash probe 'Additionally, on mental health monitoring, the organisations (scheduled and non-scheduled operators, FTOs and AAI (Airports Authority of India) were also advised to have a Peer Support Programme (PSP) in place for their employees. The organisations are required to enable, facilitate and ensure access to this proactive and non-punitive programme that will assist and support flight crew/ATCOs in recognising, coping with and overcoming any problem,' the minister said.
Hindustan Times
24-07-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Minor increase in sick leaves by Air India pilots after Ahmedabad crash: Centre
NEW DELHI: There was a minor increase in instances of Air India pilots going on sick leave across all fleets after its London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing 260 people, the government told the Lok Sabha on Thursday. Minister of state for civil aviation Murlidhar Mohol (ANI Grab) 'Air India reported a minor increase in sick leaves reported by pilots across all fleets in the aftermath of the AI-171 accident. On 16.06.202, a total of 112 pilots reported sick, comprising 51 Commanders (P1) and 61 First Officers (P2),' minister of state for civil aviation Murlidhar Mohol said in a written statement in response to a question by Bharatiya Janata Party's Hardoi MP Jai Prakash. The MP had asked the government about remedial measures such as holding post-trauma mental health workshops to mitigate the stress of pilots and cabin crew in view of the air crash. To be sure, the minister told parliament on March 20 this year that Air India has a total of 3,280 pilots. Mohol said the DGCA has already issued a medical circular regarding mental health of flight crews and air traffic controllers (ATCOs) on 22 Feb 2023, which lays down guidelines for operators (scheduled and non-scheduled) and DGCA-empanelled medical examiners.' He added that the guidelines include 'quick and effective methods to assess mental health that can easily be performed by the DGCA-empanelled medical examiners during the Class 1/2/3 medical examination.' The government has also introduced a standalone, customised training capsule for flight crew and ATCOs to help recognise and manage the adverse effects of mental health conditions, he said. Airlines have been advised to implement this initiative, the minister said. The minister underlined that scheduled and non-scheduled operators, flying training organisations and the Airport Authority of India have been advised to have a Peer Support Programme (PSP) in place for their employees. 'The organisations are required to enable, facilitate and ensure access to this proactive and non-punitive programme that will assist and support flight crew/ATCOs in recognising, coping with and overcoming any problem,' the minister said. Since the June 12 crash, at least 15 other operational issues and serious incidents have been reported involving Air India and its low-cost arm, Air India Express. The Boeing 787 crash on June 12 was one of aviation's deadliest tragedies in recent years, which prompted comprehensive safety reviews. A preliminary report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Board (AAIB) has identified fuel control switches set to 'cut off' during takeoff as the main cause of the crash. Why the switches were flipped is under investigation.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
‘Suspicion of falsifying records…': What is DGCA's new medical test at IAF centres rule for pilots? Here's why airlines are alarmed
Aviation executives are worried that strict military medical criteria could lead to numerous pilots being deemed unfit for duty. (AI image) Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)'s new rule for commercial pilots to clear medical tests at Indian Air Force (IAF) centres has caused alarm amongst airlines in India. The civil aviation authority's latest directive, issued last week, specifies that commercial pilots must undergo medical examinations exclusively at Indian Air Force facilities. This supersedes the previous regulation that permitted these medical tests at approved private hospitals and by DGCA-empanelled medical examiners. DGCA guidelines require all pilots to complete regular medical examinations which include a comprehensive set of tests. Medical Tests For Pilots: Why Has DGCA Changed Rules? According to senior regulatory officials quoted in an ET report, this new rule has been implemented following an incident where an airline co-pilot suffered a fatal cardiac arrest post-flight. Subsequent DGCA investigations revealed the pilot had pre-existing cardiac conditions unknown to the airline. "We felt that there was a change required for the process as there was suspicion that a few were falsifying records to pass their medicals," the official was quoted as saying. Also Read | 'Altered or forged records..': DGCA warned Air India Express of delays in Airbus engine fixes; months before AI 171 Dreamliner crash Why Are Airlines Worried? Aviation executives are worried that strict military medical criteria could lead to numerous pilots being deemed unfit for duty, resulting in pilot shortages and higher insurance costs for airlines. Airline industry leaders express concerns about the significant differences between military and commercial pilot medical standards. The IAF's limited capacity has resulted in lengthy processing times, potentially affecting flight operations due to pilot availability issues. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo "The air force does not have the mandate and cannot keep increasing its manpower and infrastructure requirements to meet the civil aviation requirements," an airline official said according to the financial daily. "Worldwide, India remains the only country which has not severed the cord from the defence establishments for civil pilot medicals; the philosophy and requirements in clearing the pilots for both the civil and defence are very different, hence the need to separate from defence was felt by all countries," the official added. Also Read | Air India Boeing 787 crash: What brought down AI 171 plane in Ahmedabad? Simulation puts focus on technical failure Indian aviation regulations require pilots to undergo additional medical examinations, including ultrasound, tread mill test and specific biochemical tests, which are not mandatory requirements by major international regulators such as the FAA in the United States or EASA in Europe. According to the Federation of Indian Pilots, military doctors adhere to military protocols and operational standards, leading them to assess commercial pilots using criteria similar to those applied to combat-ready fighter pilots. As a consequence, these physicians frequently recommend commercial aviators to undergo comprehensive secondary medical examinations through external facilities, resulting in time-consuming and costly procedures that may not always be essential, it said. "With India becoming the third-largest domestic aviation market in the world, after the US and China, the assumption is that India will require more than 30,000 pilots over the next few years. It is imperative that the process is looked at and revised at the earliest," a pilot said. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
