27 Air India flights cancelled, 700 pilots on strike

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has asked 700 Air India pilots to end the strike they began at midnight, demanding a raise. At least 27 flights have been cancelled since then; others are running upto three hours late.
"These pilots cannot dictate terms, they are the highest-paid in the country", said Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi.
Earlier today, the management of the airline has derecognized the Indian Commercial Pilots' Association (ICPA), sealed its offices in Mumbai and Delhi, and declared the strike illegal. The President and General Secretary of the union have lost their jobs with the airline. Another four pilots have been sacked; two have been suspended. (Read: Air India statement on pilots' strike)
The ICPA counts about 700 members who used to work for Indian Airlines till it was merged in 2007 with Air India. The ICPA says that Air India pilots are paid more and they want the disparity to end.
The striking pilots are demanding fixed salaries like pilots of Air India, with which Indian Airlines merged in 2007. Pilots flying domestic routes are paid as per flying hours, unlike their counterparts who fly to destinations outside India and get a fixed salary.
27/04/11 NDTV.com

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Categories: Air India Apr 2011