NAPA had given final ultimatum to the management to fulfill its demands a month ago. The pilots said the management has been turning deaf ears to their demands since last one year. [break]
SR Shrestha, general secretary of NAPA, said the protest would affect both domestic and international flights of the national flag carrier. About 60 pilots of NAC have demanded the NAC management to raise their salary and facilities on par with the salary and facilities that the pilots of private domestic airlines are drawing.
Shrestha said NAC pilots were not getting adequate flying hours due to lack of aircraft and hence are not earning more as allowance.
Meanwhile, the NAC management has called the agitating pilots for talks, seven days before the pilots´ ultimatum expires.
“We are not sure whether or not the management will address our demands. We have demanded salaries and facilities more than what the pilots of private airlines are drawing. But we are ready to accept if they raise salary and facilities on par with what pilots with private airlines are drawing,” Shrestha added.
Normally, pilots with domestic private airlines earn draw about Rs 300,000 a month as salary and allowances. However, pilots with NAC are getting about Rs 45,000 a month. However, their earning depends on the flying hours. They can earn as much as Rs 125,000 if they get adequate flying hours.
Due to frail health and low salary, the pilots not interested to join the national flag carrier. The NAC management had recently announced vacancy for 20 pilots but only one person bought the application form. Shrestha said he wasn´t sure whether he had filed his application or not.
Shrestha also said pilots of NAC are cornered by the management. Pilots at NAC can´t get promotion beyond the 9th level, he added.
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