Pilots adamant, AI threatens shutdown

New Delhi/Mumbai: The management of Air India toyed with the idea of suspending operations after talks with pilots failed this evening, but said it was keeping “all options open” after the Prime Minister’s Office intervened and asked the airline not to announce a lockout.
Till midnight on Monday, however, Air India’s website continued to show ‘Seats not available’ for all domestic and international flights until October 15. Tickets could be purchased for travel from October 16 onward.
Over 120 pilots reported sick on day 3 of their agitation today. Flights to the US, Europe and South East Asia were cancelled. Talks between AI Chairman and Managing Director Arvind Jadhav and executive pilots represented by Capt. V K Bhalla continued for three hours in Delhi, but remained inconclusive.
The Civil Aviation Ministry is likely to prevail upon the two sides to thrash out a deal tomorrow. Late in the evening, Civil Aviation Secretary Madhavan Nambiar said, “We advise the (AI) management to enter into a comprehensive dialogue with all sections of employees. This strike must end immediately in the interest of the public.”
29/09/09 Shashank Shekhar , Smita Aggarwal/Indian Express

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Categories: Air India Domestic Sep 2009, NACIL Sep 2009