Hyderabad, June
17:
Air India is
putting together a business plan to counter the impact of the on-going pilots
strike and resume full services.
The plan
includes induction and training of new pilots to put its larger aircraft such
as B 737s and A 320s back to the skies.
Currently, the
carrier is flying 38 of its scheduled 45 flights on account of the strike.
“Even now, we
invite the striking pilots back to work and we are willing to discuss. But we
are not waiting (any more)” Mr Ajit Singh, the Union Civil Aviation Minister,
told media persons on the sidelines of a book release function here on Sunday.
He said it
would take three to six months of training to make pilots capable of flying the
larger aircrafts such as B737s and A320s.
Asked whether
the measures such as sacking the striking pilots were being considered, he
replied: “The Government will not be vindictive. It is in their (striking
pilots') interest to resume duties. If they do not, what else can we do?”
Terming the
strike as illegal, he pointed out that even the High Court had directed them to
resume work.
“There are no
major issues. Whatever few issues (there are), the Dharmadhikari report is
meant to address these. We have already started discussion. It seems they are
not willing to come back to work.”
Mr Singh said
the Government has approved a Rs 30,000-crore package to revive the carrier.
“The government
will give no more public money to Air India. It (the carrier) should become
competitive with the rest of the industry, for otherwise, it cannot survive for
long. The (striking) pilots should understand that their survival depends of
Air India's survival.”
When pointed
out that some foreign airlines dubbed the proposed 49 per cent FDI in Indian
aviation as unviable, the Minister made it clear that managements of domestic
airlines will remain in the hands of Indians.
“We are not
asking anybody (foreign airlines) to take it (FDI offer). It is not compulsory.
Those who do not want it, it is their prerogative,” he said.
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