Pilots at national carrier Air India could be rewarded if they make in-flight announcements in Hindi, according to a communication circulated to flight crew.
The proposal came out of a meeting with airline officials and the aviation ministry.
"Pilots either make announcements in English or they do not make announcements at all. We should be self inspired to make announcements in Hindi. Pilots who make good announcements in Hindi should be rewarded," the internal communication said.
"There is no such rule that pilots need to compulsorily make announcements in Hindi but being the national carrier, AI has certain responsibilities to promote the official language," an airline official said.
A reward scheme would be administered by recording details about the announcements made by pilots in flight reports and passenger feedback would also be requested.
However the scheme hasn’t met with universal support among the airline’s flight crew.
"Instead of coming with constructive ideas to make the company a financially viable airline, the top management is only interested in such gimmicks. This only shows how cut-off from reality they are," said one pilot, reported in the Hindustan Times.
This was echoed by aviation expert Rajji Rai who said: AI should leave its pilots, who are professionals, to do their jobs and instead concentrate on other matters that require immediate attention."
This comes the same day the Indian Commercial Pilots Association urged the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to look into the issue of ‘stressed’ Air India pilots being forced to work excessive hours without additional pay.
