The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has urged the government to relax the mandatory six-month notice period for airline pilots, quitting the company for better prospects.
In a letter to Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, the pilot body said that the rule is a stumbling block for pilots in securing jobs in other airlines, particularly in situations like the Go First crisis.
The rule enforced during 2006-07 to restrict the Indian pilots from joining foreign airlines bars pilots from joining another company before completing six months with the existing employer.
The association has urged the aviation minister to relax this rule allowing pilots to exit airlines that are distressed and unable to pay salaries.
"Go First has not yet paid its pilots their April 2023 salary and has not provided a firm date for payments," the letter said. “The airline is not issuing No Objection Certificates (NOC), experience certificate, no dues certificate, attestation of logbooks to pilots.”
Go First's insolvency and subsequent opposition by aircraft lessors has raised concerns among employees about the airline's return to skies.