Civil Aviation
Minister Ajit Singh warned on Friday that Air India would hire new pilots if
the India Pilots Guild (IPG) did not end its strike soon.
At a meeting with five
pilots owing allegiance to the IPG, Mr. Singh made it clear that the strike, if
it continued, was likely to impact the payment of wage arrears to all employees
by June, as promised by the government. “We can think of hiring new pilots,” he
said. Air India Chairman and Managing Director Rohit Nandan joined the
90-minute meeting at the fag end.
The IPG, which has
been at loggerheads with the management over its decision to let the erstwhile
Indian Airlines pilots undergo training to fly Boeing 787 Dreamliner, is
holding consultations with legal experts to decide on its course of action. It
has been insisting on the reinstatement of 101 dismissed pilots and a solution
to issues relating to their career growth.
Officials said Mr.
Singh told the pilots there would be no victimisation, if they resumed duty
without any further delay. He reiterated the government's stand that the strike
was illegal and said it caused passengers untold miseries and cost Air India
much.
Mr. Singh said the
pilots started the strike without notifying the management and reported sick
when they were not. The strike has so far cost Air India Rs. 300 crore and
forced it to operate 38 international flights instead of the 45 scheduled
services. The carrier has said the contingency plan will be in force till June
30.
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