Airline Pilots Qualify As ‘Workmen’ Under Industrial Disputes Act: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court has held that airline pilots perform skilled and technical work and fall within the definition of “workman” under Section 2(s) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, irrespective of their salary levels.

The Court dismissed appeals filed by King Airways challenging labour court orders directing payment of unpaid salary and other dues to pilots.

It observed that a pilot’s primary function is flying the aircraft and that mere use of the term “supervise” under aviation rules does not establish supervisory control in practice. 

The Court upheld the awards passed in favour of the pilots.

[King Airways v. Captain Pritam Singh]