**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 804, regarding mass sick reporting by Air India flight crew following the Air India 171 crash on June 12, 2025, the Ministry of Civil Aviation acknowledges a minor increase in sick leave reported by pilots. On June 16, 2025, 112 pilots reported sick, consisting of 51 Commanders (P1) and 61 First Officers (P2).
To address the mental health of flight crews and Air Traffic Control Officers (ATCOs), the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued Medical Circular 01 of 2023 (File No. AV2202525ADMSMed) on February 22, 2023. This circular provides guidelines for scheduled and non-scheduled operators, as well as DGCA Empanelled Medical Examiners. Key provisions include:
1. Recommendations for quick and effective mental health assessment methods to be performed by DGCA empanelled medical examiners during Class 1, 2, and 3 medical examinations.
2. Advice for all airline operators to introduce a separate, standalone, and customised training capsule for flight crew/ATCOs, focusing on the recognition and management of adverse effects related to mental health conditions.
3. Guidance for scheduled and non-scheduled operators, Flying Training Organisations (FTOs), and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to implement a Peer Support Programme (PSP) for employees. This program aims to proactively assist and support flight crew/ATCOs in recognizing, coping with, and overcoming mental health challenges in a non-punitive environment.
Shri Murlidhar Mohol, Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, provided this information.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation and administration of rules, regulations and policies relating to civil aviation in India.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Air India: An Indian airline experiencing mass sick reporting by its flight crew members after the AI171 crash.
Air India171: A flight operated by Air India that crashed on 12th June, 2025.
Shri Jai Prakash: A member of Lok Sabha who raised a question about mass sick reporting by flight crew members of Air India.
Shri Murlidhar Mohol: The Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
DGCA: Directorate General of Civil Aviation, which has issued Medical Circular regarding Mental Health of flight crews and ATCOs.
Medical Circular 01 of 2023: A circular issued by DGCA with guidelines for operators and DGCA Empanelled Medical Examiners regarding mental health of flight crews and ATCOs.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 804
th
(To be answered on the 24 July 2025)
MASS SICK REPORTING BY FLIGHT CREW
804. SHRI JAI PRAKASH
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) whether it is a fact that in the aftermath of the Air India-171 crash on 12th
June, 2025, Air India has been experiencing mass sick reporting by its flight
crew members and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government has taken remedial measures such as holding
post-trauma mental health workshops to mitigate their stress; and
(c) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a) : M/s Air India reported a minor increase in sick leaves reported by pilots
across all fleets in the aftermath of the AI-171 accident. On 16.06.2025, a total
of 112 pilots reported sick, comprising of 51 Commanders (P1) and 61 First
Officers (P2).
(b) to (c) : DGCA has already issued Medical Circular regarding Mental
Health of flight crews and ATCOs vide DGCA file No.
AV/22025/25A/DMS/Med dated 22 Feb 2023 (Medical Circular 01 of 2023),
which lays down guidelines for operators (scheduled and non-scheduled) and
DGCA Empanelled Medical Examiners. The details are as under :-
(i) Quick and effective methods to assess mental health that can easily be
performed by the DGCA empanelled medical examiners during the Class
1/2/3 medical examination are recommended.
(ii) Introduction of a separate, standalone and customised training capsule
for the flight crew/ATCOs to recognise and manage the adverse effects of
mental health conditions is also advised to all the airlines operators.(iii) Additionally, on mental health monitoring, the organizations (scheduled
and non-scheduled operators, FTOs and AAI) were also advised to have a
Peer Support Programme (PSP) in place for its employees. The organizations
are required to enable, facilitate and ensure access to this proactive and non-
punitive programme that will assist and support flight crew/ATCOs in
recognizing, coping with and overcoming any problem.
*****