Pilots' shortage reason for 1-yr notice period, says Raju

Regulator DGCA took the decision to have one-year notice period for pilots as there is shortage of commanders, according to union minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju who also observed that flights cannot be held to ransom due to non-availability of pilots.

Last month, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) decided to extend the notice period to be served by senior pilots to one year from six months. Some pilots' unions have voiced their opposition to the move.

"The logic (of the decision) was that commanders are in short supply. Basically, that is what it is and there are no restrictions on anything else. Flights can't be held to ransom," Raju told

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