DGCA takes action against Vistara, suspends training head for pilot training lapses

Vikram Mohan Dayal, Vice President of Training at the full service carrier, has been removed from his post, the source said. (Photo: Vistara)

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday (April 30) has suspended a senior Vistara official due to lapses in the conversion training of pilots. According to the sources, Vikram Mohan Dayal, Vice President of Training at the full-service carrier, has been removed from his position, stated news agency PTI.

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Lapse in training of pilots

Aviation watchdog conducted an inquiry into alleged lapses in the conversion training of some pilots, where narrow-body pilots were being trained to operate wide-body aircraft.

The source indicated that lapses were observed in the conversion training of just over 10 pilots, leading the regulator to take action against the airline’s training head after the inquiry.

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Air India-Vistara merger

Air India, owned by the Tata group, and Vistara are aiming to finalise their merger by the end of October, intending to strengthen their position in the aviation market, as per multiple media reports. Although the National Company Law Tribunal has yet to issue its order on the merger application, both airlines have reached out to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation seeking clarification on crossover training requirements for pilots and crew members.

Currently, the two airlines operate with separate operating manuals and procedures, which are now being harmonized. Typically, when pilots switch jobs, they undergo training to become familiar with the procedures of the new organization.