Mumbai: Air India (AI) is to take five retired pilots, who still hold valid licences on contract basis for a short period to augment its pilot strength, following Indian Pilots' Guild (IPG) refusal to withdraw its directives on operations to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) affected regions.

"We have identified five retired commanders – four Boeing 747 and one of Airbus 310 – so far and are issuing them letters to take them on contract subject to them being medically fit," AI spokesperson said.

They would undergo the necessary simulator training and flight checks before being deployed on flights, he said.

The airline currently has 160 executive pilots.

AI is finalising its flight schedule for next three days as part of its contingency plans. A total of 22 out of 27 flights have been scheduled for operations on April 27.

Referring to the CAT III landing instruments, the airline spokesperson had said on April 26 that government has installed them in Delhi and IPG has been demanding a $ 35 per hour flying allowance and that all pilots should be paid irrespective whether they fly to Delhi or not.

Reacting to IPG's assertion that they have not put any financial demand, the spokesman said, "We will like a written communication from the guild that they have no such demand and are willing to go for CAT III training."

"This is the minimum they can do to prove their point," he added.

PTI