Air India strike continues, further flight cancellations

Air India Chairman and Managing Director, Arvind Jadhav, announced (28-Sep-09) talks with Executive Pilots to end strike action reached stalemate. The pilots are seeking a withdrawal of the management decision to cut productivity linked incentives (PLI) and flying allowance payments. On 29-Sep-09 the airline operated 101 out of 197 scheduled domestic flights. A number of international services have also been affected. To date, 116 Executive Pilots of Air India parent, National Aviation Company India Ltd (Nacil), have reported sick over the duration of the strike. [more]

Air India added that passengers of affected services are being transferred to other airlines. [more] Mr Jadhav added the carrier has "stopped taking fresh bookings" up to 15-Oct-09 (The Hindu Business Line, 29-Sep-09).

Ministry of Civil Aviation: "It is imperative to understand that it is not possible to absorb the current high cost structure. I hope the entire airline will come back to full operation from tomorrow, failing which the management will be free to take any decision that it feels is necessary. Please, cooperate. Join your duties. It is bringing disrepute to the airline, besides leading to huge revenue losses. In case they do not report to duty, the management will keep all options open," Praful Patel, Minister for Civil Aviation. Source: The Economic Times, 29-Sep-09.