Government-owned and loss-making Air India (AI) has terminated from service 194 cabin crew and 11 pilots over the past year, primarily for unauthorised absence. It now has 3,400 cabin crew, including 800 hired on contract. A senior executive said, “Improving the performance parameters is priority. It is important to instil a sense of discipline. The airline and its passengers should not suffer due to delays or absenteeism on the part of cockpit and cabin crew.” Additionally, 11 pilots were removed. “There have been five-six instances where pilots resigned and moved on to work for another airline without serving the mandatory six month notice period. Earlier, charge sheets were not issued against such employees and they often returned to the company. We have now taken strict action against these pilots,” added the executive.

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