Air India may sack remaining 300 pilots on strike

Beijing, June 11:

Air India may sack the remaining over 300 pilots who have been on an agitation for over a month now. The airline has already sacked about 100 pilots including the leaders of the Indian Pilots Guild (IPG), which is spearheading the agitation.

Official sources told Business Line the airline was “seriously” considering terminating the remaining pilots on strike.

The airline has already written to the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), seeking the cancellation of the flying licences of the pilots on agitation.

Sources indicated that the termination letters are likely to be sent out in batches. The agitation has resulted in severe flight disruptions and daily losses of about Rs 5 crore to the airline.

The pilots are on agitation to protest the management's decision to allow pilots of the erstwhile Indian to be trained on the Boeing 787 aircraft, more popularly known as the Dreamliner. The first of the 27 Boeing 787 aircraft ordered by the airline is expected to join the fleet later this month.

The airline, which has already advertised for more pilots, has also set up a committee to see how many pilots it actually requires.

The airline is looking to hire both expat and local pilots.

Sources indicated that while the expatriates will be taken on a short-term basis, local pilots will be hired for 3-5 years.

The new pilots will be taken on a contract basis, a move that will help cut costs for the airline. The airline is likely to hire about 100 pilots on contract, sources indicated.

Our Mumbai Bureau reports: Talking to reporters in New Delhi today, the Civil Aviation Minister, Mr Ajit Singh, said: “It is for the Air India management to take action now. These pilots have not come to work for more than 30 days....It is an illegal strike. They have defied the High Court.”

The strike has crippled Air India's international operations. As part of its contingency schedule, the airline is only operating 38 international flights from the original 45 services.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/article3517117.ece