New Delhi: National flag carrier Air India has issued a diktat banning pilots and cabin crew from choosing the 'preferred one' from each other for the flights.
The decision has been taken to future-proof Air India from any scandal, reported The Times of India.
As per the report, both pilots and cabin crew used to regularly approach Air India's crew management system (CMS) seeking pairing with specific members of their choice for flights.
With some married crew members also making such requests, the airline has decided to ban the practice and asked its CMS, which prepares rosters, to follow its advice.
If employees continue to make such requests with Air India CMS despite ban, they will be liable for action.
In the past, such demands have brought embarrassment for the national air carrier.
A few months ago, a Chennai to Male flight with 110 passengers on board was delayed for hours as an AI captain insisted on flying with a particular lady co-pilot.
The order issued by AI general manager (operations) Captain RS Sandhu earlier this week says: "It has been observed that CMS crew controllers and schedulers at bases are being approached by some crew, who are not directly associated with CMS functions, for requesting flights for themselves as well as other crew members... during planning or day of operations phase of the roster. The higher management has taken a very dim view of such indiscretion."
"All the crew controllers and schedulers are hereby directed to refrain from entertaining such requests, regardless of position, being held by such crew members. The same should be immediately brought to the notice of the undersigned. The same is for strict compliance, and any deviation will entail strict disciplinary action," it adds.
