Air India's pilots' union alleges harassment of crew, says will not operate flights if it is repeated

Air India's pilot union- Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) has written to its management complaining about the harassment to its crew on Saturday and stating that they would not operate any other flights other than the ones carrying essentials if there's a repeat of the behaviour with the crew.

On May 30, a Delhi-Moscow flight had to return midway after its pilot was found COVID-19 infected.

The Association termed that day as "traumatic" for the crew which was made to wait the entire day without any food or refreshments.

"The health officials at Delhi airport failed to comply with Government order's and the protocol to be followed for pre & post flight COVID-19 testing for crew operating Vande Bharat Mission flights was thrown out of the window. Hence the crew were shuffled to multiple places aimlessly," read the letter dated May 31.

IPCA in the letter addressed to Executive Director (Operations) Air India, alleged that the crew were harassed by the health officials at the airport and they were forced to be taken to a government medical facility for a period of 7 days.

"Only after the institutional quarantine facilities refused to accept the crew, they were allowed to go home to follow home-isolation for 14 days. Not to mention, the post-flight COVID-19 testing was violated. On return, the post-flight COVID-19 testing was not carried out and were not accommodated in a hotel as per the protocol. From the above, it can be construed as lack of coordination between Air India, MHA, DGCA and Health officials at the airport," the letter said.

"The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and DGCA vide circulars dated 23.03.2020 states: If a laboratory positive case of COVID 19 is found in a flight, the entire crew has to be de-rostered for minimum 14 days. The crew need to follow home-isolation during the time at their own country," it said.

IPCA said that they are operating flights under the Vande Bharat Mission as "National Duty" and the treatment meted to the operating crew is "distasteful".

"We do not appreciate the treatment perpetrated to our crew and if history repeats itself we will not be in a position to operate any flights other than the essential services," the union said.

IPCA also sought clarification on the protocol to be followed by pilots when a positive case of COVID-19 is found on a flight in domestic operations and if pilots when a positive case of COVID 19 is found on a flight in the Vande Bharat Mission.

"For which operations should the Minimum 14 days home isolation after de-rostering of crew should be followed. As per MHA order dated 5th May 2020, the SOP for movement of Indian Nationals stranded outside the country requires RT-PCR test for passengers. It has been brought to our notice this is not being followed," the letter said.

( With inputs from ANI )