According to Air India sources around 20 flights have been cancelled since midnight. These included AI 469 Del-Raipur via Nagpur, AI 214 Del- Kathmandu, AI 216 Kathmandu-Del, Del-Bangkok, Del-Srinagar and Del-Leh. Passengers of two flights to Mumbai were accommodated in one flight. Eight flights from Delhi and 11 from Mumbai were cancelled. Several other flights are also delayed due to strike which began from midnight.
The strike began after the talks between the Pilots and Air India management broke down. The striking pilots are demanding pay parity and better working conditions besides a CBI inquiry into the alleged scams of airlines and cancellation and withdrawal of profitable routes given away to either private airlines or foreign carriers
Air India management however has appealed to the pilots not behave irresponsibly, when the process of conciliation is on. A spokesman of AIR India said the Government, the Civil Aviation Ministry and all stakeholders are seriously involved in resolving the issue. He said that the Justice Dharmadhikari Committee, formed to look into HR related issues of Air India, has started functioning from this Monday and it is expected to submit its recommendations in three months.
Meanwhile Centre on Wednesday ruled out any negotiations on their demand of pay parity. Briefing media here, Civil Aviation Minister Vyalar Ravi said that a fraction of pilots’ association could not dictate terms to the government.
He asserted that the government has asked Air India to take firm action against the striking pilots as their decision to go on strike is irresponsible. He said that Government will support every action taken by the Air India management to control the situation.
While urging all employees of Air India to cooperate in dealing with the financial crisis, Mr Vyalar Ravi said that the national carrier is getting support from all sections of employees and different committees are looking into the demands of over 41000 employees.