National carrier Air India has put the selection process for 40 pilots back on track after having put it on hold for more than a year following charges of favouritism.
While plans were afoot last year to hire 90 pilots, 40 commercial pilot licence (CPL) holders have so far successfully completed 90 per cent of the selection process.
Their final selection, however, was put on hold, following charges of nepotism, sources close to the development said, adding that now the vigilance department has cleared the process which has since been restarted.
“We are hiring around 90 pilots. Currently, they are undergoing mandatory medical tests. Once the process is completed, they will be put on the training,” they said.
The sources said the remaining 50 candidates were engineers, mainly from Air India who have obtained commercial pilot licence (CPL).
An Air India spokesperson confirmed the developments and said that the process which was put on hold last year has been revived.
“Once finally selected, these pilots will be put on eight months training before joining the left seat (of co-pilot) in the cockpit,” the sources said.
Air India had last March advertised for the recruitment of pilots.
Of the 1,400 commercial pilot licence holders who appeared for the exam in April 2009, Air India had finally selected 40 pilots.
However, after allegations of favouritism cropped up, the entire selection process was put on hold and an investigation ordered into the whole affair.
“The investigation into the process did not find any wrong doing and therefore the process has been put back on track,” the spokesperson said.
