NEW DELHI, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- India's civil aviation regulator has made a year's notice period mandatory for all senior pilots wishing to leave an airline to join another carrier.
Earlier the notice period mandated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for senior pilots or commanders was six months.
"It has been decided that pilots working in an air transport undertaking shall give a notice period of at least one year in respect of commanders, and six months in respect of co-pilots to the employer indicating his intention to leave the job," the DGCA said.
However, the DGCA has said in its Civil Aviation Requirement that the notice period may be cut short or waived off if an airline gives a no-objection certificate to a pilot.
The civil aviation regulator has also made it clear that during the notice period, a pilot can't refuse to carry out his duties nor the airline can deprive the pilot of his legitimate rights and privileges.
"During the notice period, neither the pilot shall refuse to undertake the flight duties assigned to him nor shall the employer deprive the pilot of his legitimate rights and privileges with respect to the assignment of his duties," the DGCA said.
Sources said the DGCA amended the Civil Aviation Requirement, following requests from a number of domestic airlines that they invest a lot of time, money and also efforts in training pilots.
