Air India pilots’ strike enters 6th day, 90% flights cancelled

PTI Updated - May 02, 2011 at 04:15 PM.

Air India aircraft parked at the Mumbai International Airport due to the strike by the airline's pilots. File Photo: Shashi Ashiwal

The strike of Air India pilots entered the 6th day on Monday, with the national carrier having to cancel 90 per cent of its domestic flights.

The Delhi High Court will today hear contempt of court case against three sacked pilots, belonging to Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA), including its general secretary Mr Rishab Kapur. The High Court, upon a petition filed by the airline, had asked the pilots to resume working by last Friday.

Since the striking pilots did not obey the directive, Air India management moved the court again, seeking action for contempt.

The pilots took out a candle-light march at Gateway of India here last evening demanding immediate ouster of Air India Chairman and Managing Director Mr Arvind Jadhav, alleging that the management’s unwillingness to invite them for talks was a part of his hidden agenda to shut down the airline and privatise it.

The management’s stand so far is that they should return to work, as a precondition for talks.

Published on May 2, 2011 06:06