MORE than 100 Air China pilots have voiced their disgruntlement with airline management, citing tensions in the cockpit over unequal pay and physical stress from the firm’s aggressive expansion.

    An open letter addressed to the flag carrier was signed by the pilots, many of them captains of Air China’s international fleets, flying large aircraft such as Boeing 777s and Airbus A330s.

    The letter, verified by the airline, said most pilots could not get proper rest over the years due to the company’s “blind expansion” policy, leaving their physical and mental health “severely damaged.”

    Cultural and salary differences also caused a tense relationship between Chinese and foreign pilots, the letter said. The signatories alleged that foreign pilots had “longer rest, easier routes but higher pay.”

    “Unfair payment has made the relationship between Chinese and foreign pilots intensive, extremely unhelpful to the cockpit management, and will eventually threaten flight safety,” the letter stated.

    Air China confirmed to the South China Morning Post yesterday that they were aware of the complaints and that they would be dealt with properly to ensure passenger safety.

    The pilots said they suffered from some oppressive policies that forced them to stay on duty even if they were “no longer willing” to do so.

    The excessive workload has taken a toll on many pilots’ family lives, they said. The letter also noted that heart and brain diseases caused by hypertension were growing among young and middle-aged pilots.

    Xu Yanchun, an Air China spokesman, said they had received the letter and are verifying the list of signatories.

    Air China and other airlines have expanded their fleets in recent years to expand their international reach. Air China said last year it would have 113 new aircraft by next year, according to Bloomberg. (SD-Agencies)