03 November,2010 07:11 AM IST | | Bipin Kumar Singh
Flight crew complain to DGCA that there are no flat beds for them to rest on, after the airline changed its long-distance carrier
From what its cabin crew has to say, the Maharaja of Indian aviation is remiss in a) taking care of its employees, b) meeting the Director General of Civil Aviation's guidelines.
In a complaint to the DGCA, the crew alleges that Air India is violating guidelines set by the aviation watchdog by not providing them with flat beds on long flights.
The crew have no choice but to surround part of the business class with curtains for themselves
Earlier, Air India was using the Boeing 777-200 series aircraft, which has separate flat beds especially for the crew.
But the state carrier is now using Extended Range aircraft, 777-300 ER for long routes like those to Toronto, Chicago, and Newark which does not have the flat beds. This led one of the crew members to complain to the DGCA about the violation.
"Earlier, we used to get a Boeing 777-200 for long distance flights, which has a separate rest room for the crew with flat beds as per the guidelines of the DGCA.
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But a few weeks ago, the management decided to put the Extended Range aircrafts on the sector. So we are forced to use business class seats and cover them with curtains.
It is disturbing to both the passengers and the crew," said a crew member who did not wish to be named.
"The Extended Range aircrafts which are used for long distance flights now do not have the flat beds required under DGCA regulations. There should be flat beds for the crew so they can get rest for at least four hours," said Jai Dalaya, Aviation Industry Employees Guild (AIEG).
"So we decided to bring the matter to the notice of the DGCA. The AI officials were called to give an explanation as to explain why the changes were made without the permission of DGCA," added the crew.u00a0
For business passengers too, the changes brought in by Air India are not palatable.
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"What is the purpose of paying a lump sum to book a business class ticket, if it is going to be crowded. It looks bad when the crew sits in the business class, covering the seats with curtains. This disturbs passengers. In a congested area, they put the curtain and block the seats," said an airline passenger.
Seeking explanation
On Monday afternoon, the DGCA called Air India top officials seeking an explanation from the airline about why it did not think to inform the aviation operator about the changes made in the operation of carriers.
Sources from the airline confirm that the DGCA has also asked why the national carrier should be spared from any action for violating norms.
The DGCA chief, Naseem Zaidi, and the AI chief, Arvind Jadhav, did not reply to our calls.
The Guideline Says
There should be a flat bed available for the crew so they can take rest for at least four hours during long-run flights (more than 12 to 14 hours) as per the DGCA guidelines.
The adjustment from Boeing 777-200 series aircraft to u00a0777-300 is a violation of the DGCA guidelines, which was not informed about the changes made.
