As the government moves ahead with the divestment of the national carrier, the government has appointed Arvind Kathpalia as the new Director of Operations at Air India.

When his name was cleared for the post by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet in March, the pilots at the airline had opposed the appointment.

For skipping mandatory pre-flight medical test on several occasions, the aviation regulator in February had suspended Kathpalia for three months. An order dated June 27 said, Kathpalia, who is the Executive Director has been appointed  as the director of operations of Air India by the Civil Aviation Ministry.

“… the appointment is for five years with effect from the date of his assumption of charge of the post or till his superannuation or until further orders, whichever is the earliest,” said the order.

The Cabinet to revive the debt-laden Air India, gave its in-principle approval on Wednesday for disinvestment of the airline.

SUPRAJA