Air India sacks ten agitating pilots

New Delhi, May 8 (ANI): Air India today sacked ten agitating pilots, de-recognised their union and sealed its offices, as around 160 of them failed to join duty.

The pilots' strike has led to disruptions in Air India's international operations with five flights cancelled. Two Air India flights from Delhi to Chicago and Toronto and two from Mumbai to New Jersey and Hong Kong have been cancelled since Monday night.

Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh today termed the strike by Air India pilots to be illegal, and said that the management of the national carrier would take appropriate action against those involved in the stir.

Singh said the pilots went on sick leave amid talks with the management of Air India.

"They are reporting sick. They have not given any notice for any strike. So whatever the Air India management rules and regulations, action will be taken accordingly," he said.

Singh noted that Air India is currently undergoing a turbulent period and crores of public money is being infused to run the carrier. He stressed that the pilots should come to the negotiating table and resolve their issues through dialogue but not launch any strike.

The airline management has also started sending doctors to the houses of pilots, who have taken sick leave.

According to reports, the current protest is primarily being carried out by the pilots owing allegiance to the Indian Pilots Guild (IPG), who belong to the pre-merger Air India. The pilots are reportedly protesting over the time-bound promotion.

The concerned management had earlier held meeting with the pilots in New Delhi in its bid to defuse the crisis. (ANI)