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NT Bureau
Chennai, Apr 10:
 

        Air Passengers Association of India (APAI) president D Sudhakara Reddy has urged the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to implement the new guidelines on Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) for pilots at the earliest for the safety of air passengers.

        Speaking to the reporters here yesterday, Reddy said though the officials were ready to implement it, a powerful lobby comprising promoters of private airlines were resisting it.

        Expressing concern over foreign pilots serving in India, Reddy said, 'The DGCA has not been insisting on foreign pilots undergoing strict medical tests, because they were given temporary licence to fly for six months. However, most of them have been flying for longer than this'.

        'And, most of the foreign pilots flying in Indian airspace, are overaged. Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) of US does not permit pilots to fly beyond the age of 60, as under FAA clause applicable for airline operations, the licence is valid only for cargo and general aviation, if the pilot is beyond 60. But DGCA is risking the passengers by permitting pilots with FAA licence beyond the age of 60 for civilian airlines in India', said Reddy.

        Taking strong exception to the levying of congestion fee on passengers, he said it was improper and unjustified as the passenger was in no way responsible for the congestion.

        Reddy also appealed to air passengers to voice their grievances by visiting the homepage of the association — www.apai.in.