Delhi/Mumbai: By lunchtime today, over 50 Air India flights had been cancelled - 26 operating from Mumbai and another 28 from Delhi. "We apologise to our passengers" said representatives of the nearly 700 pilots on strike. But for passengers, things are likely to get worse- another 150 pilots have reportedly joined the strike, and a union for Air Traffic Controllers has also extended its support.
'There has been no attempt by the management to reach out to us," said a spokesperson for the Indian Commercial Pilots Association, which counts 700 members and began its strike on Tuesday at midnight, demanding a raise.
The management of the airline made it clear today that it's in no mood to appease the pilots on strike. Two more pilots were fired today - so a total of eight pilots have so far been sacked because of the strike. Air India has also asked the Delhi High Court to consider declaring the pilots guilty of contempt of court - yesterday, the court asked the pilots to return to work, an order that has been ignored.
Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi told the cabinet in Delhi today that he is backing the management a hundred percent. Close to 1600 pilots make about 800 crores, he reportedly pointed out, rebutting the pilots' demands for higher salaries. Yesterday, Mr Ravi had stressed that Air India pilots are among the highest-paid in the country. ( 1600 pilots get Rs. 800 crore in salary, says Aviation Minister)
The strike was begun by pilots who were originally employed with Indian Airlines. In 2007, that airline merged with the other national carrier -Air India, whose pilots are paid more. A substantial portion of the salary for a pilot from Indian Airlines depends on how many hours he or she flies. With Air India cutting down domestic routes to contain losses, the Indian Commercial Pilots Association says its members are losing out. In comparison, Air India pilots are paid more and fly international routes. (Should Air India be funded by taxpayers?)
Air India has been relying on executive pilots to fill in for those on strike. These are pilots who perform administrative tasks in addition to operating flights. With 150 of them now allegedly joining the ICPA's strike, Air India could find itself in more trouble.
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