Pilots refuse to fly to Leh
Posted on: 29/Jun/2015 9:54:53 AM
The Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) has asked its members not to fly to Leh. The carriers that offer the service are Air India, Jet and GoAir. The pilots made the move after a private airline complained against AI (Air India) or landing in the mountainous area without meeting the minimum requirements of the airport. Since the airport is at a high altitude, the requirements to be met are more than any other.
According to a senior pilot, ‘Flights to Leh almost never meet all the safety requirements as set by the directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) and this is one of the worst kept secrets of Indian aviation. Still all pilots risk their licences to fly there as flights are the only fast way of connecting Ladakh to rest of India and in winters the only link with the country as highways are closed. There are instances when a sick patient has to be flown out of Leh or critical supplies are required to be flown in there.’
