The decision of TAROM pilots to suddenly declare themselves unfit to fly could lead to the cancellation of some charter flights for tourists.
After TAROM canceled almost all flights on Monday because pilots or co-pilots suddenly declared themselves unfit to fly, a situation unprecedented as acknowledged by the state airline, the consequences could also extend to other flights.
„There will be a cascading effect, with the cancellation of some charters. For example, the Bucharest – Baia Mare flight was canceled, which was supposed to bring pilots to Baia Mare for two charters to Antalya. Since the pilots will no longer reach Baia Mare, it is possible that the tourist charters from Baia Mare will not depart either,” said Cezar Osiceanu, TAROM pilot, to G4Media.
He explained the situation at TAROM. He said that pilots and co-pilots have salaries similar to those from 2007 and are demanding an increase in income. „We have reached rock bottom,” he declared.
A TAROM pilot can earn up to 4,500 euros per month, much less than the incomes of around 10,000 euros per month offered by most private companies, Osiceanu added.
The pilot presented to Adevărul the causes of the chaos at TAROM and the reasons that led to the pilots’ decision to declare themselves unfit to fly.
– There are no reserve pilots, the Boeing detachment has nearly 20 pilots less than the minimum required; ATR has nearly 22 less; Airbus as well.
– Most TAROM pilots already have immediate job offers from competing companies.
– The Board of Directors and the executive management have effectively disregarded the pilots’ requests.
– Pilots have been instrumental in keeping the company afloat and have incomes equivalent to those in 2007.
– Pilots have been and are forced to violate the Labor Code, which requires only five consecutive days of flight and two days off. Pilots fly six or even seven consecutive days without any cover, with only five days showing on their time sheets, and the additional days are not paid according to the law.
– Working conditions and food are miserable.
Personal issues at TAROM are confirmed by unionists. The airline is required to provide a reserve crew when pilots declare themselves unfit to fly, but TAROM has insufficient staff due to recent restructuring and the low salaries it offers.
– After the latest restructuring, out of nearly 1,900 employees at TAROM, only 1,100 and 12 planes remained from 29 in 2020. Pilots are few, tired, and dissatisfied with salaries, said Narcis Pașcu, president of the TAROM United Union, on Europa FM.
„There is a terrible lack of pilots. There is a terrible lack of mechanics. It is simply a situation caused by the stress of this prolonged restructuring. This year, 31 pilots and about 60 mechanics have left. You can imagine that with these departures, TAROM no longer has the possibility of having that personnel reserve because it does not pay them.
If a captain-pilot at TAROM has a salary of around 5,000 euros, at WizzAir the same captain will be paid 10,000 euros,” explained the union leader.
Minister of Transport Sorin Grindeanu has urged TAROM management to urgently find solutions and come up with an effective restructuring plan to ensure the company’s operational capacity.
Hundreds of people spent the night at Otopeni airport after being informed that their reserved flights were canceled because TAROM pilots declared themselves unfit to fly. The situation worsened in the morning when even the flight that two ministers were supposed to take to Paris was canceled.
Details of canceled TAROM flights:
– Chaos at Otopeni Airport: TAROM canceled several flights after pilots declared themselves unfit to fly. Two ministers left without a plane.