Pilots In Trouble For Using Abusive Language On Emergency Radio Channel

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New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an inquiry after some IndiGo pilots were allegedly found to have used offensive language on a frequency which is used only for emergency communications.

According to PTI, seven pilots reportedly gave vent to their ire over low salaries on 121.5 MHz frequency.

IndiGo is yet to issue a statement on the development.

The frequency, used for emergency communications, is monitored by air traffic controllers in the vicinity of the aircraft. As for air-to-air communication among them, pilots of different aircraft use 123.45 MHz frequency, which is not monitored by ATCs, the report added.

The salary issue dates back to the peak of COVID-19 pandemic, when IndiGo had cut pay of its pilots by up to 30%.

Early this month, IndiGo said it would increase salaries of pilots by 8%, while another hike of 6.5% will be implemented in November in case there are no disruptions.

This failed to satisfy a section of pilots, some of whom were planning a strike. IndiGo even suspended a few of those pilots on April 5.