Sri Lankan pilots up for grabs by Indian carriers

At least 28 pilots, whose contracts with Sri Lankan Airlines are nearing completion, may be hired by Indian carriers which are facing a shortage of airmen, media reports said here on Wednesday.

After the Dubai-based Emirates pulled out its 43 per cent equity stake from Sri Lankan Airlines, the pilots, whose contracts expire in April, will be available for recruitment by Indian carriers.

As per official statistics, India required 4,540 pilots for airline operations in the country against the availability of 3950 by August 2007, thereby facing a shortfall of 590 airmen who could be recruited from abroad.

"The initial 10-year contract between the two airlines expires in April this year and will not be renewed", the Daily Mirror quoted sources from the Emirates as saying.

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