New Delhi: Air India officials on Thursday revealed that as many as five senior Air India pilots, who were part of repatriation exercise Vande Bharat Mission, succumbed to Covid-19 in the month of May.
According to the Indian Pilots' Guild, the five senior pilots were Captain Harsh Tiwary, Captain Prasad Karmakar, Captain Sandeep Rana, Captain G P S Gill and Captain Amitesh Prasad.
Air India had in April decided to set up mass vaccination camp for its employees aged 45 years or above on priority. On May 10, Air India informed its employees that the proposed Covid vaccination camp at GSD Complex, Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) on May 11 and May 13 stands cancelled due to non-availability of vaccines.
The vaccination drive began with delay from May 15 onwards, said officials.
In a letter to the airline director on Tuesday, the Indian Commercial Pilots' Association (ICPA) urged the airline to vaccinate not only the members of the flying crew but also their family members.
Read: South East Asian countries are still very much in the acute phase of pandemic: WHO
"We fear infecting our family members on returning home after operating VBM flights. With this backdrop, we need support from the company to keep performing our duties and keep our family safe," the ICPA letter stated.
In a statement to ETV Bharat on May 22, Air India had said that the airline has already held vaccination camps in office premises for vaccination of all eligible employees. A 24-hour telemedicine, care-at-home dedicated helpline, having a strong team of over 100 employees manning it, is in place to cater to covid related medical requirements of employees.
"Discussions were already on for the vaccination of AI employees, including the crew. As the guidelines did not allow vaccination of persons below 45 years of age, AI could not complete the vaccination. Also after the vaccination dose is taken, two days leave is being given too to employees," the airline said in a statement.
Meanwhile, on June 2, Vistara claimed that nearly 100% of its eligible employees have been vaccinated with their first dose. On May 31, Senior Vice President of Flight Operations of IndiGo, Ashim Mittra said that approximately 80% of its eligible pilots have been administered their first dose of vaccine.
Read: Civil Aviation Secy meets private airport operators over vaccination, Air India issue
