Pilot Unions Call For Action, Write To Tata Chairman Amid Vistara Flight Cancellations

As the chaos surrounding the cancellation of nearly 150 flights by Vistara continues to build, two prominent pilot unions have directed their concerns towards Tata Group Chairman N Chandrasekharan. 

In a joint statement, the Indian Commercial Pilots' Association and the Indian Pilots' Guild have urged Tata Group's leadership to engage in constructive dialogue with the pilot community. The unions highlighted the need of addressing legitimate grievances and allow a culture of fairness, transparency and employee welfare across all Tata Group aviation ventures.

The written statement, also shared with top executives including Vinod Kannan, CEO of Air Vistara, stressed on issues such as fixed compensation, improved working conditions and stable rosters. The unions asserted that these demands reflect broader challenges prevalent within Tata Group airlines and are not only reasonable but crucial for the well-being of pilots.

"We urge Tata Group leadership to engage in constructive dialogue with the pilot community, listen attentively to their feedback and take proactive measures to address their legitimate grievances. By addressing the concerns raised by the Vistara pilots, Tata Group can demonstrate its commitment to fostering a culture of fairness, transparency and employee welfare across all its aviation ventures, which is missing at the moment," said the Indian Commerical Pilots' Association and Indian Pilots' Guild in a joint statement.

Expressing deep concern, the unions likened pilots' treatment to that of bonded laborers, citing instances of HR resorting to threatening tactics and creating a hostile work environment. They stress the importance of valuing and respecting pilots, advocating for necessary support to enable them to excel in their profession.

Regulatory bodies are closely monitoring the situation, with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) requesting daily reports on flight cancellations and delays from Vistara. The Civil Aviation Ministry is also actively involved, acknowledging the impact of pilot shortages on flight operations.

In response to the crisis, Vistara CEO Vinod Kannan has earlier announced plans to normalise operations, with adjustments being made to flight schedules to accommodate pilot availability and ensure smoother operations in the future. The airline said it intends to reduce some flights to create more buffer for pilots in case of unforeseen situations, with hopes that this measure will help alleviate the ongoing turbulence.