AI pilots’ guild say authorities disinterested in resolve

Key office bearers of Air India’s pilots union, the Indian Pilots’ Guild (IPG), said on Friday that they were moving back to Mumbai from Delhi as neither the airline’s management nor the aviation ministry had shown serious interest in resolving a dispute that led to a 11-day-old strike by pilots.

In a media statement, the Guild said the core committee members had been in New Delhi for the past six days, sending messages of openness and availability to hold talks with the management and the ministry.

“However, neither the management nor any official of the ministry have responded to any conciliatory gestures or efforts of the IPG to resolve the situation amicably. As neither the management nor the ministry are showing any serious or sincere intent to resolve the situation any time soon, the core committee will be moving back to Mumbai today (Friday),” the statement said.

IPG will remain open to talks, it added.

As the strike launched by a section of pilots entered the 11th day, the loss to the national carrier because of the walkout has reached Rs. 200 crore and is mounting.

Following the strike, Air India has terminated the services of 71 pilots. In addition, it has requested permission from aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation to cancel the licences of an additional 11 pilots.