Vistara Pilots Allegedly Threatened And Treated as ‘Bonded Labourers’, Claim Air India Unions

Two unions of Air India have expressed their support for the ongoing strike by Vistara pilots, citing various concerns including pay revision and alleged mistreatment of pilots as “bonded labourers”. The Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association (ICPI) and the Indian Pilots’ Guild (IPG) have extended solidarity to their Vistara counterparts, who are protesting against the airline’s decision to merge with Air India, as well as issues related to pay revision and rostering.

Vistara, which is owned by the Tata Group, has faced crew shortages leading to flight cancellations. The pilots of Vistara have been vocal about their discontent with the merger decision, pay issues, and rostering problems.

In a letter addressed to Tata Group Chairman N Chandrasekaran, the Air India unions highlighted concerns about the reduction in minimum guaranteed flying allowance to 40 hours, challenges with leave approvals, and alleged roster malpractices. They emphasized that these issues are not specific to Vistara but extend to all Tata Group airlines, including Air India, Air India Express, AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India), and Vistara.

The unions’ letter stated, “We believe that every pilot deserves to be valued, respected, and provided with the necessary support to excel in their profession. Pilots are being subjected to conditions and treatment reminiscent of bonded labourers.” They also raised alarm about instances where pilots were allegedly threatened by the HR department with disruptions to their future and severe consequences.

According to the unions, such threats can have serious implications for flight safety and operational efficiency. They pointed out that pilots who feel intimidated may hesitate to report safety concerns or raise issues that could impact flight operations, posing a significant risk to passengers and crew members.

The unions stressed the importance of treating pilots with respect and dignity, expressing distress over what they described as pilots being exploited, overworked, and deprived of their basic rights across Tata Group Airlines. They called on the Tata Group leadership to engage in constructive dialogue with the pilot community, listen to their feedback, and take proactive steps to address their legitimate grievances.

In conclusion, the unions urged the Tata Group to address the concerns raised by the Vistara pilots, emphasizing that it would demonstrate the company’s commitment to fostering a culture of fairness, transparency, and employee welfare across all its aviation ventures. They emphasized that the current situation highlights the need for improved conditions and treatment of pilots within the Tata Group airlines.