AI offers 10 lakh compensation

Making the announcement at the Mangalore airport, Air India Chairman and Managing Director Arvind Jadhav said family members of the deceased above the age group of 12 years will receive Rs 10 lakh, while families of victims aged less than 12 years will get Rs five lakh as compensation and Rs two lakh to injured survivors.

He also clarified that the compensation will be part of the US $1,60,000 compensation announced by Union Minister Praful Patel on Saturday. The compensation will be paid immediately after bodies had been identified.

“In case of any discrepancies while making claims, help of the district administration will be sought,” he said, adding that steps will be taken to disburse the interim relief within four days.

Air India would also bear all the medical expenses of the injured, and other expenses incurred by the families of the deceased. A plane would kept on stand by to carry the relatives of the victims belonging to Kerala.

Shortage of pilots

To a query on controversy over recruitment of expat pilots, Jadhav said there are certain requirements before the pilots take position of a commander, indicating that there is a shortage of trained and experience pilots. “It will take some time,” he said.

Stating that the Air India would conduct an internal inquiry, he said the Air India has requested the Boeing to help in inquiry who in turn have asked Federal Aviation Authority to help in establishing the reason for the aircraft crash.

Standby aircraft

He also said that the Air India has kept a standby aircraft at Mumbai exclusively to transport the relatives of the deceased, he said that arrangements will be made if they came in group. To a query on the possibility of fatigue to pilots, he said that both the pilots had taken sufficient rest before they took the flight.

Praise for Mangaloreans

Jadhav was all praise for the residents of Kenjar who helped the survivors, and for helping in recovering and shifting the bodies to the ambulance. “The Air India team is overwhelmed by the response of the villagers,” he said.

Job offer for survivor

Air India CMD Arvind Jadhav also gave a job offer Joel Pratap D’Souza (24), who miraculously escaped unhurt in the mishap.

“Soon after jumping off the aircraft, he (Joel) came in a bike to airport to inform the mishap,” he said and added: “Why doesn’t he join Air India as AI requires such people. Why should you go back to Dubai for job?”