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| September 29, 2009 | Air India stops all bookings for 15 days: Pilots' strike continues | | New Delhi/Mumbai: Air India on Tuesday cancelled over 20 flights, including 15 from the national capital, as a stand-off between executive pilots and the management entered a fourth day. The airline also suspended bookings for the next fifteen days. According to an airlines official, about ten domestic flights to Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Guwahati, Mumbai and other west-bound destinations were cancelled. "Besides, five flights to Kabul,
Kathmandu, New York, London and Chicago were also cancelled. The flights have
been cancelled after the pilots of these flights reported sick," an airlines official
added. Meanwhile, Civil Aviation Secretary Madhavan Nambiar has ruled out speculation
of a Air India shut down. The Civil Aviation Ministry has advised the airline
management to enter into a comprehensive dialogue with all employees. Talks between
the management and the striking pilots collapsed yesterday after both sides refused
to budge on their stated positions. Striking pilots have refused to get back to
work until the controversial pay-cut order is completely withdrawn. The Air India
management on Sunday also agreed to set up a committee to look into the Productivity-Linked
Incentives (PLI) modalities. Striking pilots in Chennai and Kolkata have also
agreed to the committee set up by the management.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister's Office took stock of the stalemate in the talks. The PMO
directed the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Air India to find an early resolution. The PMO also told the Civil Aviation Ministry that a lockout is not an option to resolve the issue. Civil Aviation Secretary M Nambiar briefed top PMO officials here at a meeting, which was also attended by Cabinet Secretary KM Chandrashekhar. "The Air India management has not taken any decision on the cut of Productivity-Linked Incentives (PLI) or any allowance for the unionized section of employees. Decision regarding the executive employees will be taken only after the committee setup to look into this matter has examined all aspects
in consultation with employees," Nambiar said in his statement. "The disruption
of the flights is causing immense problem to the traveling public and bringing
disrepute to the airline. In these circumstances, the pilots and all employees
must cooperate with the management for the turnaround of the airline," he added.
Nambiar further said that though the Government support is coming, it must be
linked to a problem turnaround plan including cost cutting and revenue enhancement.
"We will advise the management to enter into a comprehensive dialogue with all
sections of employees. This strike must end immediately in the interest of the
public and this will also stand the airline in good state for future Government
support," he later added. Meanwhile, Jet Airways pilots held a meeting with the
striking Air India pilots in Mumbai. The Jet Pilots Union has expressed solidarity
with Air India pilots. Jet Pilots Union President Girish Kaushik said that all
pilots should form a federation to protect their interests. All pilots across
airlines need to come together and resolve the crisis together, Kaushik added.
Talks between the management and the striking pilots collapsed yesterday after
both sides refused to budge on their stated positions. Striking pilots have refused
to get back to work until the controversial pay-cut order is completely withdrawn.
The Air India management on Sunday also agreed to set up a committee to look into
the PLI modalities. Striking pilots in Chennai and Kolkata have also approved
the setting up of a committee set up by the management. | |
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