The Airline Pilot’s Guild of Sri Lanka (ALPGSL) is asking on the management of SriLankan Airlines to handle its concerns regarding the working conditions on the flag carrier. Among the many problems, the Guild says pilots have been overworked and underpaid.
It comes as other staff on the oneworld airline have reportedly received bonuses. With the carrier at a deficit of greater than 50 pilots, ALPGSL noted that the airline would lose more as a result of the continued concerns.
A “catastrophic state of affairs”
In an announcement, the association claimed that the present conditions and lack of response from the carrier’s management have contributed to the pilots’ low morale.
“Whilst iterating our commitment and dedication to our beloved Airline, the passengers of the Airline and the country as a complete we want to state that there was serious and sometimes times critical issues which haven’t been addressed by the Management of the Airline leading to the present catastrophic state of affairs. The Pilots of the Airline have been left within the lurch consequently of a spate of selections by the Management of the Airline compelling us to be overworked.”
Contained in the pilot shortfall
SriLankan requires greater than 300 pilots to operate its scheduled flights and performance at full capability. Within the last yr, 70 pilots resigned from the airline amid the working conditions, however the association said that resignations could occur as a result of the problems leading to
Slamming the carrier’s management, ALPGSL said the small group of pilots on the airline is under 300.
the association noted.
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A recent incident highlighted SriLankan’s pilot staffing issue when a flight sure for South Korea was delayed greater than 12 hours.
In line with EconomyNext, SriLankan flight 470, carrying migrant staff to South Korea, was scheduled to depart at 20:20 but was delayed as a result of a cockpit crew member falling unwell. In an announcement, the airline blamed the for being unable to search out one other pilot, but ALPGSL claimed that further showcasing the severity of the difficulty.
Photo: Karasev Viktor/Shutterstock
The airline also reportedly pays pilots at considered one of the bottom rates within the industry. In line with the Guild, SriLankan pilots’ wages are well under standards, with their salaries being paid at an arbitrary US dollar nearly 40% below the speed of the Central Bank prior to June 2023. ALPGSL stated that wages were lowered by roughly 50% in the course of the pandemic. Nevertheless, despite the cuts, pilots continued to work, which generated revenue and allowed essential medical supplies to be transported in the course of the COVID-19 crisis.
The association claimed that the airline has provided bonuses for other employees, singling out the pilots.
“Today nonetheless, despite all other departments within the Airline being given increment and ex-gratia payments (bonuses) the Pilots are yet to receive a considerable a part of their contractually due salary package which was in place before the Covid outbreak.”
Addressing and resolving the difficulty
SriLankan Airlines CEO Richard Nuttall has reportedly said the airline will see a profit of $50 million this yr. Easy Flying has contacted the airline, but a representative couldn’t be immediately reached.
the Guild concluded.