Lok Sabha Question No. 902 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-02
Subject: Loss of Jobs due to Covid-19
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Bhartruhari Mahtab

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 902 (To be answered on the December 2021) 2nd

LOSS OF JOBS DUE TO COVID-19

## 902. SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether a large number of employees engaged in aviation sector lost their jobs due to Covid-19 led disruption in the country;
- (c) whether a number of airlines have also cut staff salaries during the pandemic and if sO, thc details thereof;
- (b) if so, the estimated number of employees working with airlines, ground handling companies and Cargo business who lost their jobs during the current year;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to incentivize travel while keeping passengers safe and healthy and if s0, the details thereof; and
- (e) the other necessary steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to boost aviation industry?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(a) (b) According to the industry data, the details are as under;

(2) Total number of employees in ground handling has declined from around around 13,300 employees.

(1) Total number of employees of domestic carriers has declined from around 74,800 as on 31 Mar 2020 to around 66,900 as on 31 Mar 2021, a decline of over7,900 employees.

(3) Total number of employees in cargo has increased from around 9,550 as on 31 Mar 2020 to around 9,930 as on 31 Mar 2021,an increase of around 380 employees.

- (c) Some of the airlines had rationalised the payment of allowances in the

(1) Air India Limited:

No salary cuts implemented for employees drawing salary less than Rs: 25,000

Reductioh of flying allowances, subject to a minimum 20 hours flying in 4 month.

- Reduction in the allowances of the pilots by 40% on special pay: domestic Iayover allowance, quick return ailowance, check allowance, instructor aliowance and examiner allowance.

## (2) Air India Express Limited:

35% reduction on flying allowance

20% reduction in the domestic layover allowance of cabin crew:

- above.
- Reduction of flying allowances, subject to a minimum 20 hours flying in a month, of commanders and co-pilots.
- (3) Alliance Air Aviation limited:

40% reduction in the total salary of expatriate pilots.

## (4) Indigo:

5%/ reduction on gross salary of other ground staff.

During the calendar year 2021, paycuts ranging from 2.5% to 48% were implemented for empioyees in managerial levels and above; most of which have already been restored by now. There was no impact on the salary of employee below managerial level

Salary cuts were implemented for employees drawing Salary higher than Rs; 50,000 per month; The salary cuts have now been removed with effect from October 2021 and regular salaries have been restored:

## (5) Air Asia:

- (d) & (e) The Government has taken several steps to strengthen the aviation industry keeping in view the safety and health of the passengers. Steps taken include:
- (2) Benefits under Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) 3.0 extended to civil aviation sector:
- (1) Adoption of Covid protocols, use of protective gear; contact-less passenger handling processes like 100% online check-in, submission Of self declaration forms and self baggage drop etc:
- (3) Exclusive air-links or Air Bubbles' have been established with 31 countries:
- (5) Three Public Private Partnership (PPP) airports at Delhi, Hyderabad and Bengaluru have undertaken major expansion to the tune of Rs: 30,000 Crogesuby 2025. Additionally, Rs. 36,000 Crores have been planned for investment in the development Of new Greenfield airports across the country under PPP mode. plan
- (4) AAI has taken up development of new airports and expansion/upgradation 01 existing airports at around Rs, 25,000 crores in the uext 4-5 years which includes expansion and modification Of existing terminals,new terminals; expansion Or strengthening Of existing Funways; aprons, Airport Navigation Services (ANS); control towers, technical blocks etc
- (6) Government of India (Gol) has accorded 'in-principle' approval for setting

up of 21 Greenfield Airports across the country. So eight Greenfield airports namely, Sindhudurg and Shirdi in Maharashtra; Durgapur in West Bengal, Pakyong in Sikkim, Kannur in Kerala; Orvakal in Andhra Pradesh; Kalaburagi in Karnataka and Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh have been operationalized. far,

(8) Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate reduced to 5% from 18% for domestic Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services.

(7) Under Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS); also known as the Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) Scheme; on 24 Nov 2021, 393 routes have commenced connecting 62 unserved and underserved airports, including 2 water aerodromes and 6 heliports

(9) A conducive aircraft leasing and financing environment has been enabled (10) The domestic capacity of the Airlines has been restored to full with effect from 18 October 2021, as in pre-Covid times;

(12) The Freighter aircraft deployed by Indian carriers has increased from 7 in 2018 to 28 in 2021. As a result of Government proactive actions, share of Indian carriers in international freighter movements increased from 2% to 19% over last two years

(11) Improvement in air navigation infrastructure at Indian airports and induction of state of the art latest technologies therein:

(13) Airports Authority of India (AAI) has issued award letters on 31 May 2021 and 29 October 2021 for nine FTOs t0 be established at five airportsBelagavi (Karnataka), Jalgaon (Maharashtra), Kalaburgi (Karnataka), Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh) and Lilabari (Assam) Soft launch of two FTOs at Kalaburgi was done on 15 August 2021.