With no end in sight for the Air India pilots’ strike, which is on for more than 40 days now, the management of the national carrier is in the process of drawing up a new business plan for its future. This includes the delivery of 27 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft over the next two years.
Addressing a press conference, the Minister of Aviation Minister, Mr Ajit Singh, on Monday insisted that the strike by the pilots was illegal.
He reiterated that the striking pilots can come back only if they agree to call off their agitation unconditionally.
“The striking pilots can be taken back only on a case-to-case basis. We are open for talks, but it doesn’t seem like the pilots are willing for it,” said Mr Ajit Singh adding “the reasons for the strike have been addressed in the Justice Dharmadhikari Report, which they chose not to accept.”
While saying that there was no decision on hiring expat pilots, Mr Singh said, “We have to do whatever the DGCA mandates. If we need commanders or co-pilots, we have to get them.”
The national carrier, Air India has been suffering losses ever since the pilots went on strike. The AI management and the Civil Aviation Minister had taken a tough stand against the striking pilots. The strike which entered its 45{+t}{+h} day has forced the airline to curtail its international operations. Around 400 pilots of erstwhile Air India owing allegiance to the Indian Pilots Guild (IPG) went on a strike to protest AI management’s decision to allow the erstwhile Indian Airlines pilots to get trained on the Boeing Dreamliners.