Striking Air India pilots open for discussions with Aviation Minister

NEW DELHI: A day after civil aviation minister Ajit Singh indicated that he is willing to listen to the agitating pilots' issues if they join work, the Indian Pilots Guild (IPG), which is leading the agitation of Air India pilots, has sought 'a chance' to hold talks with the government to end the stalemate.

As the strike by over 400 Air India pilots entered day 17, causing losses of nearly Rs. 270 crore, IPG general secretary, Captain E A Kapadia on Thursday wrote a letter to the aviation minister appealing for an opportunity for talks.

"We would be grateful if you could accommodate us in your busy schedule and grant us an appointment at the earliest," the communication to the minister said.

The pilots also welcomed the minister's decision to take back terminated pilots on a case-to-case basis saying that they would discuss the offer within the IPG Managing Committee.

The pilots' "appeal" comes a day after Singh indicated that he was willing to talk with any one provided that no conditions were set for the talks to take place.

On Wednesday, the Delhi Court declared 68 IPG pilots in contempt of court for continuing with the agitation in spite of the court's earlier injunction that it was "illegal".

It was on May 7 that Air India pilots went on a mass-sick leave disrupting normal flight schedule of the airline, causing thousands of passengers to be stranded across the country.

To minimise passenger inconvenience, the airline has announced a truncated schedule, which has seen Air India not only cut the number of international flights it operates but also stop flights to Osaka, Hong Kong, Seoul and Toronto.