Kozhikode plane crash: AI pilot unions seek meeting with Puri to discuss flight safety

two leing pilot unions of Air India on Thursday sought a meeting with Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri to discuss matters related to working conditions and flight safety, six days after plane crash in Kozhikode that killed 18 people.

"Our pilots are constantly facing challenges of COVID-19, monsoon wear, ill-designed flight duty time limitations (FDTL), several extensions and dispensations given by DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation)," stated letter written to Puri by Indian Commercial Pilots' Association (ICPA) and Indian Pilots' Guild (IPG).

two unions said y are writing on behalf of pilots of Air India and its subsidiaries Air India Express and Alliance Air.

An Air India Express flight from Dubai with 190 people, including a six-member crew, overshot tabletop runway during landing at Kozhikode airport in heavy rain on night of August 7.

narrow body B737 plane fell into a valley 35 feet below and broke into pieces, killing 18 people, including both pilots.

two unions said in ir letter: "Aviation policy makers are creating a caustic work environment without any reproach or consequence. It is paramount that safety of travelling public is t compromised. In this you are our singular hope." Talking about Kozhikode plane crash, unions ted: "Pending findings of official investigations, may we highlight fact that flight safety and working conditions of pilots of Air India group companies can t be seen in isolation." y said recently imposed pay cut by Air India was "steep, disproportionate and retrospective" and it specifically targets pilots of Air India group companies.

Air India last month issued an internal order stating it has reduced monthly allowances of its employees who have a monthly gross salary of more than Rs 25,000 by up to 50 per cent.

Air India Express said on Thursday a total of 92 passengers injured in plane crash in Kozhikode have been discharged till date from hospitals after "obtaining complete fitness".

DGCA has barred operation of wide body aircraft at Kozhikode airport for this monsoon season out of abundant caution, said a senior official on Tuesday, ding that aviation regulator will conduct a special audit of airports that receive heavy rains.