Minor rise in sick leave among Air India pilots after Ahmedabad crash: Govt tells Parliament
112 pilots, including 51 commanders, reported being sick four days after AI-171 crash
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New Delhi: In the wake of the fatal crash of Air India flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad on June 12, which claimed 260 lives, the airline witnessed a minor increase in sick leave reported by its pilots, the government informed the Parliament on Thursday.
Responding to a query on whether there had been mass sick reporting by Air India flight crew following the crash, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol stated that 112 pilots reported being sick on June 16. This included 51 Commanders (P1) and 61 First Officers (P2).
"Air India reported a minor increase in sick leaves reported by pilots across all fleets in the aftermath of the AI-171 accident. On 16.06.2025, a total of 112 pilots reported sick, comprising 51 Commanders (P1) and 61 First Officers (P2)," the minister said in a written reply.
To address mental health in aviation, Mohol cited a Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) circular issued in February 2023. The circular advised airlines to implement customised training modules for flight crew and air traffic controllers (ATCOs) to help them recognise and manage the adverse effects of mental health conditions.
Additionally, organisations (scheduled and non-scheduled operators, Flying Training Organisations and the Airports Authority of India) were advised to establish a Peer Support Programme (PSP). This programme is aimed at providing professional support and helping crew members cope with psychological stress.
The Air India passenger plane bound for London's Gatwick airport crashed shortly after taking off in Ahmedabad. The crash claimed 260 lives, including 241 passengers who were onboard the plane and 19 people on the ground. One passenger survived the crash.
Meanwhile, in another written reply, Mohol stated that the Ministry of Civil Aviation currently has no specific policy regarding compensation for civilians on the ground who suffer damages as a result of a plane crash.
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Niqab incident: Nitish Kumar perhaps revealing his true colours, says J-K CM
Srinagar (PTI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday criticised his Bihar counterpart over the niqab incident and said that Nitish Kumar might be slowly revealing his true nature.
"Nitish Kumar, who was once considered a secular leader, may be slowly showing his true colours," Abdullah told reporters here on the sidelines of a function.
Abdullah said Kumar removing the face veil of a Muslim woman doctor was wrong and cannot be justified by any means.
"We have seen this kind of incident here several years ago. Have you forgotten how Mehbooba Mufti removed the burqa of a legitimate voter inside a polling station? That act was wrong, and this act (of Kumar) is also wrong.
"If the (Bihar) chief minister did not want to hand over the order to her (Muslim woman), they could have kept her aside. However, to humiliate her like this is totally wrong," the Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said.
Kumar stirred a huge controversy after he removed the face veil of a Muslim woman at a function earlier this week.
